Effects of different ratios of pig manure to fungus residue on physicochemical parameters during composting

This study examined physicochemical parameters to assess their effectiveness as stability and maturity indicators during the process of composting pig manure and fungus residue at different ratios. The results showed that composting mixtures with all ratios of pig manure to fungus residue maintained a temperature exceeding 50 °C for more than 10 days during composting and met the requirement for pathogen destruction. The treatment containing mainly pig manure showed higher nitrogen loss and a shorter thermophilic phase and maturity time than the treatment containing mainly fungus residue. The germination index (GI) values indicated that compost maturity was achieved in the final compost with initial ratios of pig manure to fungus residue of 9:1–7:3 (GIs of 101.4%, 91.2%, and 81.3%); the ratio of 6:4 did not reach compost maturity (GI of 63.8%) and had an inhibitory effect on seed germination. The results of this study suggest that a ratio of pig manure to fungus residue of approximately 8:2 can be considered suitable for the efficient and quality composting of pig manure and fungus residue.

Implications: Co-composting of pig manure and edible fungi residue with appropriate proportion can effectively reduce the risk of environmental pollution caused by agricultural wastes, as well as achieve a safer and high-quality organic fertilizer, which can be used to improve physical and chemical properties of the soil, increase crop yields, and promote agricultural sustainable development. Therefore, technique of co-composting of pig manure and edible fungi residue has a wide prospect of application in practical production all over the world.     

Gas reforming and tar decomposition performance of nickel oxide (NiO)/SBA-15 catalyst in gasification of woody biomass

In the gasification of biomass, it is necessary to limit the amount of by-product tar and increase the yields of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) (syngas). Therefore, we conducted gasification and reforming experiments on woody biomass using an electric tubular furnace, to evaluate the gas reforming and tar decomposition performance of a NiO/SBA-15 catalyst. As a result, we found that this catalyst is effective for H₂ production. It is believed that the increase in H₂ volume due to the catalyst occurs through a steam reforming reaction involving hydrocarbons, including methane (CH₄), and the water-gas shift reaction. With respect to the influence of the gasifying agent on the reforming effect of the catalyst, the amount of generated carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen (H₂) increases because the shift reaction is promoted by supplying steam. On the other hand, it was inferred that the shift reaction rarely occurred because it approaches equilibrium by supplying O₂. Furthermore, it is suggested that light aromatic hydrocarbons are decomposed by the catalyst.

Implications: The mesoporous silica catalyst NiO/SBA-15 was highly effective for H₂ production and decomposition of light aromatic compounds in the gasification of woody biomass. In the catalyst reaction, supplying steam promoted H₂ production. From thermodynamic analysis and discussion, it was also inferred that supplying O₂ might prevent the water gas shift reaction. The results are useful for designing a process needed for rich H₂ production and gas refining process for further use of syngas.     

Manganese-cerium oxide (MnOx-CeO2) catalysts supported by titanium-bearing blast furnace slag for selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide with ammonia at low temperature

A series of manganese-cerium oxide (MnO_x-CeO₂) catalysts supported by Ti-bearing blast furnace slag were prepared by wet impregnation and used for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH₃. The slag-based catalyst exhibited high nitrogen oxide removal (deNO_x) activity and wide effective temperature range. Under the condition of NO = 500 ppm, NH₃ = 500 ppm, O₂ = 7–8 vol%, and total flow rate = 1600 mL/min, the Mn-Ce/Slag catalyst exhibited a NO conversion higher than 95% in the range of 180–260 °C. The activity of Mn/Slag catalysts was greatly enhanced with the addition of CeO₂. The results indicated that Ti-bearing blast furnace slag had suitable phase composition as good support of SCR catalyst.

Implications: Ti-bearing blast furnace slag is a kind of industrial waste in China. Much slag was underused and piling up, which could cause many environmental issues, such as enormous waste of titanium and groundwater and soil contamination by heavy metals in leachates. The utilization of slag as the support of SCR catalyst will not only make use of solid waste but also cut down the NO_x emitted from power plant.     

Comparative study on the removal efficiency of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) using three different packings

To improve the removal efficiency on hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a biofilter was developed and was made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes. The effects of three different packings (i.e., packing A, packing B, and packing C), containing different proportions of activated carbon, sawdust, wormcast, perlite, and pig manure compost, based on different biofilter parameters on H₂S removal efficiency, were investigated. With the extension of running time, the H₂S removal rate of packing A reached up to 90.12%, that of packing B reached a peak at 92.96%, and that of packing C was highest at 87.21%. The contribution rate of each packing at the bottom of the device was significantly greater (p < 0.01) than that of other parts, and those of the top of the devices were all greater than those of the middle of the devices. The H₂S removal rate increased with greater filler layer height. The removal rate of group B increased first with humidity, and then declined, with the optimal humidity level for the removal of H₂S 50–65% in this study. With the prolongation of the run, the pH of packing A was reduced from 7.1 to 5.91, while the pH of packing B and C remained within the range of 6.53–7.10. An increase was found in the number of bacteria and fungi over time. The count of bacteria in packing B and C and following a decreasing order was bottom > middle > top, whereas that for fungi was the opposite. In conclusion, it is thought that packing B (comprising wormcast + sawdust + activated carbon) is more efficient in the removal of H₂S than the other packings and may thus be utilized in biofilters. These results hope to provide useful information for future related research on the removal efficiency of H₂S using packings.

Implications: Wormcasts use as biological filter packing to remove H₂S is limited and needs yet to be explored. A comparative study on the removal efficiency of H₂S using three packings showed the packings that included wormcast were more efficient than others, and showed the combined features of physical absorption and biological removal with long sustainability and good efficiency, although these were largely influenced by environmental factors and nutrient content for the microorganisms. In summary, wormcast could be utilized in biological filters in the future in related research beacuse of its good efficiency and low cost.     

Binary logistic regression—Instrument for assessing museum indoor air impact on exhibits

This paper presents a new way to assess the environmental impact on historical artifacts using binary logistic regression. The prediction of the impact on the exhibits during certain pollution scenarios (environmental impact) was calculated by a mathematical model based on the binary logistic regression; it allows the identification of those environmental parameters from a multitude of possible parameters with a significant impact on exhibitions and ranks them according to their severity effect. Air quality (NO₂, SO₂, O₃ and PM_2.5) and microclimate parameters (temperature, humidity) monitoring data from a case study conducted within exhibition and storage spaces of the Romanian National Aviation Museum Bucharest have been used for developing and validating the binary logistic regression method and the mathematical model. The logistic regression analysis was used on 794 data combinations (715 to develop of the model and 79 to validate it) by a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0). The results from the binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that from six parameters taken into consideration, four of them present a significant effect upon exhibits in the following order: O₃>PM_2.5>NO₂>humidity followed at a significant distance by the effects of SO₂ and temperature. The mathematical model, developed in this study, correctly predicted 95.1 % of the cumulated effect of the environmental parameters upon the exhibits. Moreover, this model could also be used in the decisional process regarding the preventive preservation measures that should be implemented within the exhibition space.

Implications: The paper presents a new way to assess the environmental impact on historical artifacts using binary logistic regression. The mathematical model developed on the environmental parameters analyzed by the binary logistic regression method could be useful in a decision-making process establishing the best measures for pollution reduction and preventive preservation of exhibits.     

Field evaluations of newly available “interference-free” monitors for nitrogen dioxide and ozone at near-road and conventional National Ambient Air Quality Standards compliance sites

Long-standing measurement techniques for determining ground-level ozone (O₃) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are known to be biased by interfering compounds that result in overestimates of high O₃ and NO₂ ambient concentrations under conducive conditions. An increasing near-ground O₃ gradient (NGOG) with increasing height above ground level is also known to exist. Both the interference bias and NGOG were investigated by comparing data from a conventional Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) O₃ photometer and an identical monitor upgraded with an “interference-free” nitric oxide O₃ scrubber that alternatively sampled at 2 m and 6.2 m inlet heights above ground level (AGL). Intercomparison was also made between a conventional nitrogen oxide (NO_x) chemiluminescence Federal Reference Method (FRM) monitor and a new “direct-measure” NO₂ NO_x 405 nm photometer at a near-road air quality measurement site. Results indicate that the O₃ monitor with the upgraded scrubber recorded lower regulatory-oriented concentrations than the deployed conventional metal oxide–scrubbed monitor and that O₃ concentrations 6.2 m AGL were higher than concentrations 2.0 m AGL, the nominal nose height of outdoor populations. Also, a new direct-measure NO₂ photometer recorded generally lower NO₂ regulatory-oriented concentrations than the conventional FRM chemiluminescence monitor, reporting lower daily maximum hourly average concentrations than the conventional monitor about 3 of every 5 days.

Implications: Employing bias-prone instruments for measurement of ambient ozone or nitrogen dioxide from inlets at inappropriate heights above ground level may result in collection of positively biased data. This paper discusses tests of new regulatory instruments, recent developments in bias-free ozone and nitrogen dioxide measurement technology, and the presence/extent of a near-ground O₃ gradient (NGOG). Collection of unbiased monitor inlet height–appropriate data is crucial for determining accurate design values and meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards.     

Effects of biofilter media depth and moisture content on removal of gases from a swine barn

Media depth (MD) and moisture content (MC) are two important factors that greatly influence biofilter performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of MC and MD on removing ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) from swine barns. Biofiltration performance of different MDs and MCs in combination based on a mixed medium of wood chips and compost was monitored. A 3 × 3 factorial design was adopted, which included three levels of the two factors (MC: 45%, 55%, and 67% [wet basis]; MD: 0.17, 0.33, and 0.50 m). Results indicated that high MC and MD could improve NH₃ removal efficiency, but increase outlet N₂O concentration. When MC was 67%, the average NH₃ removal efficiency of three MDs (0.17, 0.33, and, 0.50 m) ranged from 77.4% to 78.7%; the range of average H₂S removal efficiency dropped from 68.1–90.0% (1–34 days of the test period) to 36.8–63.7% (35–58 days of the test period); and the average outlet N₂O concentration increased by 25.5–60.1%. When MC was 55%, the average removal efficiency of NH₃, H₂S, and N₂O for treatment with 0.33 m MD was 72.8 ± 5.9%, 70.9 ± 13.3%, and –18.9 ± 8.1%, respectively; and the average removal efficiency of NH₃, H₂S, and N₂O for treatment with 0.50 m MD was 77.7 ± 4.2%, 65.8 ± 13.7%, and –24.5 ±12.1%, respectively. When MC was 45%, the highest average NH₃ reduction efficiency among three MDs was 60.7% for 0.5 m MD, and the average N₂O removal efficiency for three MDs ranged from –18.8% to –12.7%. In addition, the pressure drop of 0.33 m MD was significantly lower than that of 0.50 m MD (p < 0.05). To obtain high mitigation of NH₃ and H₂S and avoid elevated emission of N₂O and large pressure drop, 0.33 m MD at 55% MC is recommended.

Implications: The performances of biofilters with three different media depths (0.17, 0.33, and 0.50 m) and three different media moisture contents (45%, 55%, and 67% [wet basis]) were compared to remove gases from a swine barn. Using wood chips and compost mixture as the biofilters media, the combination of 0.33 m media depth and 55% media moisture content is recommended to obtain good reduction of NH₃ and H₂S, and to simultaneously prevent elevated emission of N₂O and large pressure drop across the media.     

Effect of turning frequency on co-composting pig manure and fungus residue

Composting of agricultural wastes not only can reduce environmental pollution caused by improper disposal, but also can recycle agricultural wastes and transform them into highly valuable products, such as fertilizers or soil conditioners, for agricultural applications. However, the composting process and final product are easily affected by the limited oxygen supply that results from insufficient aeration, especially in the center of a large-scale windrow. Hence, a pilot-scale experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the turning frequency on the composting efficiency and compost quality of used pig manure and fungus residue. Physical and chemical characteristics were measured over the course of 63 days of composting. The data indicate that higher temperatures and more rapid moisture removal generally result from a turning treatment of once every 2–4 days than in fewer, or no, turning treatments. The total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium contents increased in all windrows as the organic matter content decreased, but both the increases and decrease were greater in windrows that were turned more frequently. The reduction of the organic matter mass by 53.7–66.0% for a turning of once every 2–8 days is significantly higher than that for the static windrow (39.1%). Although there is an increase in nitrogen mass loss with an increased turning frequency, lower nitrogen mass losses (12.7–25.7%) in all treatments were noted compared with previous studies. A final compost product with less moisture, less weight, higher nutrient content (N, P, and K), and greater stability was obtained in windrows with turning frequencies of once every 2–4 days, which is recommended when composting pig manure and fungus residue.

Implications: Composting of agricultural wastes not only can reduce environmental pollution caused by improper disposal, but recycling of agricultural wastes transforms them into highly valuable products, such as fertilizers or soil conditioners, for agricultural applications. However, the composting process and final product are easily affected by the limited oxygen supply that results from insufficient aeration, especially in the center of a large-scale windrow. Hence, a pilot-scale experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the turning frequency on the composting efficiency and compost quality of used pig manure and fungus residue, so as to capture an operational technique suitable for the effective co-composting pig manure and edible fungi residue for a large-scale composting plant.     

Long-term trends in airborne SO2 in an air quality monitoring station in Seoul,Korea, from 1987 to 2013

Atmospheric concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) was intermittently measured at an air quality monitoring (AQM) station in the Yong-san district of Seoul, Korea, between 1987 and 2013. The SO₂ level was compared with other important pollutants concurrently measured, including methane (CH₄), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and particulate matter (PM₁₀). If split into three different periods (period 1, 1987–1988, period 2, 1999–2000, and period 3, 2004–2013), the respective mean [SO₂] values (6.57 ± 4.29, 6.30 ± 2.44, and 5.29 ± 0.63 ppb) showed a slight reduction across the entire study period. The concentrations of SO₂ are found to be strongly correlated with other pollutants such as CO (r = 0.614, p = 0.02), which tracked reductions in reported emissions due to tighter emissions standards enacted by the South Korean government. There was also a clear seasonal trend in the SO₂ level, especially in periods 2 and 3, reflecting the combined effects of domestic heating by coal briquettes and meteorological conditions. Although only a 16% concentration reduction was achieved during the 27-year study duration, this is significant if one considers rapid urbanization, an 83.2% increase in population, and rapid industrialization that took place during that period.

Implications: Since 1970, a network of air quality monitoring (AQM) stations has been operated by the Korean Ministry of Environment (KMOE) for routine nationwide monitoring of air pollutant concentrations in urban/suburban areas. To date, the information obtained from these stations has provided a platform for analyzing long-term trends of major pollutant species. In this study, we examined the long-term trends of SO₂ levels and relevant environmental parameters monitored continuously in the Yong-san district of Seoul between 1987 and 2013. The data were analyzed over various time scales (i.e., monthly, seasonal, and annual intervals). The results obtained from this study will allow us to assess the effectiveness of abatement strategy and to predict future concentrations trends in association with future abatement strategies and technologies.     

Urban energy environment efficiency in China: Based on dynamic meta-frontier slack-based measures

Rapid economic growth in China has resulted in a significant increase in particulate matter (PM_2.5) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂), the reduction of which has become a primary government focus. However, as the energy consumption and air pollutant emissions in Chinese cities have very significant regional characteristics, individual governance measures are necessary. This study used 2013 to 2016 energy consumption data from 31 Chinese cities to evaluate the dynamic efficiency of the urban environments. Labor, fixed assets, and energy consumption were taken as the inputs, gross domestic product (GDP) was taken as the output, and particulate matter (PM_2.5) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) were taken as the carry-over variable indicators. Using a meta-frontier dynamic DEA model, the 31 cities were classified into high-income and upper-middle-income cities, the overall 2013–2016 energy consumption and air pollutant efficiency scores were analyzed, and improvements and changes were recommended to increase the efficiencies. Large differences were found in the energy consumption and air pollution emissions efficiency scores and the needed improvements, with the hig-income cities performing better overall than the upper-middle-income cities. While there have been some significant improvements in SO₂ emissions, PM_2.5 improvements have been far slower. Therefore, in most cities, more control measures are needed to control PM_2.5 emissions. However, in addition to improving PM_2.5 in the upper-middle-income cities, SO₂treatments are also needed.

Implications: There are big differences in the expectation of improvement of the two pollutants in all cities. In many Western cities, the expectation of PM2.5 improvement in the past years has not been reduced, but has been expanding. This shows that the central government has unified the air pollution control policies and the existing air pollution control measures formulated and implemented by the local governments.     

Public health and components of particulate matter: The changing assessment of black carbon

In 2012, the WHO classified diesel emissions as carcinogenic, and its European branch suggested creating a public health standard for airborne black carbon (BC). In 2011, EU researchers found that life expectancy could be extended four to nine times by reducing a unit of BC, vs reducing a unit of PM_2.5. Only recently could such determinations be made. Steady improvements in research methodologies now enable such judgments.

In this Critical Review, we survey epidemiological and toxicological literature regarding carbonaceous combustion emissions, as research methodologies improved over time. Initially, we focus on studies of BC, diesel, and traffic emissions in the Western countries (where daily urban BC emissions are mainly from diesels). We examine effects of other carbonaceous emissions, e.g., residential burning of biomass and coal without controls, mainly in developing countries.

Throughout the 1990s, air pollution epidemiology studies rarely included species not routinely monitored. As additional PM_2.5. chemical species, including carbonaceous species, became more widely available after 1999, they were gradually included in epidemiological studies. Pollutant species concentrations which more accurately reflected subject exposure also improved models.

Natural “interventions” - reductions in emissions concurrent with fuel changes or increased combustion efficiency; introduction of ventilation in highway tunnels; implementation of electronic toll payment systems – demonstrated health benefits of reducing specific carbon emissions. Toxicology studies provided plausible biological mechanisms by which different PM species, e.g., carbonaceous species, may cause harm, aiding interpretation of epidemiological studies.

Our review finds that BC from various sources appears to be causally involved in all-cause, lung cancer, and cardiovascular mortality, morbidity, and perhaps adverse birth and nervous system effects. We recommend that the U.S. EPA rubric for judging possible causality of PM_2.5. mass concentrations, be used to assess which PM_2.5. species are most harmful to public health.

Implications: Black carbon (BC) and correlated co-emissions appear causally related with all-cause, cardiovascular, and lung cancer mortality, and perhaps with adverse birth outcomes and central nervous system effects. Such findings are recent, since widespread monitoring for BC is also recent. Helpful epidemiological advances (using many health relevant PM_2.5 species in models; using better measurements of subject exposure) have also occurred. “Natural intervention” studies also demonstrate harm from partly combusted carbonaceous emissions. Toxicology studies consistently find biological mechanisms explaining how such emissions can cause these adverse outcomes. A consistent mechanism for judging causality for different PM_2.5 species is suggested.

A list of acronyms will be found at the end of the article.     

Particulate matter,nitrogen oxides,ozone, and select volatile organic compounds during a winter sampling period in Logan,Utah, USA

Particulate matter mass (PM), trace gaseous pollutants, and select volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with meteorological variables were measured in Logan, Utah (Cache Valley), for >4 weeks during winter 2017 as part of the Utah Winter Fine Particle Study (UWFPS). Higher PM levels for short time periods and lower ozone (O₃) levels were present due to meteorological and mountain valley conditions. Nitrogenous pollutants were relatively strongly correlated with PM variables. Diurnal cycles of NO_x, O₃, and fine PM(PM 2.5) (aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm [PM_2.5]) suggested formation from NO_x. O₃ levels increased from early morning into midafternoon, and NO_x and PM_2.5 increased throughout the morning, followed by sharp decreases. Toluene/benzene and xylenes/benzene ratios and VOC correlations with nitrogenous and PM species were indicative of local traffic sources. Wind sector comparisons suggested that pollutant levels were lower when winds were from nearby mountains to the east versus winds from northerly or southerly origins.

Implications: The Cache Valley in Idaho and Utah has been designated a PM_2.5 nonattainment area that has been attributed to air pollution buildup during winter stagnation events. To inform state implementation plans for PM_2.5 in Cache Valley and other PM_2.5 nonattainment areas in Utah, a state and multiagency federal research effort known as the UWFPS was conducted in winter 2017. As part of the UWFPS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measured ground-based PM species and their precursors, VOCs, and meteorology in Logan, Utah. Results reported here from the EPA study in Logan provide additional understanding of wintertime air pollution conditions and possible sources of PM and gaseous pollutants as well as being useful for future PM control strategies in this area.     

Validation of odor concentration from mechanical-biological treatment piles using static chamber and wind tunnel with different wind speed values

The basic principle of odor sampling from surface sources is based primarily on the amount of air obtained from a specific area of the ground, which acts as a source of malodorous compounds. Wind tunnels and flux chambers are often the only available, direct method of evaluating the odor fluxes from small area sources. There are currently no widely accepted chamber-based methods; thus, there is still a need for standardization of these methods to ensure accuracy and comparability. Previous research has established that there is a significant difference between the odor concentration values obtained using the Lindvall chamber and those obtained by a dynamic flow chamber. Thus, the present study compares sampling methods using a streaming chamber modeled on the Lindvall cover (using different wind speeds), a static chamber, and a direct sampling method without any screens. The volumes of chambers in the current work were similar, ~0.08 m³. This study was conducted at the mechanical-biological treatment plant in Poland. Samples were taken from a pile covered by the membrane. Measured odor concentration values were between 2 and 150 ou_E/m³. Results of the study demonstrated that both chambers can be used interchangeably in the following conditions: odor concentration is below 60 ou_E/m³, wind speed inside the Lindvall chamber is below 0.2 m/sec, and a flow value is below 0.011 m³/sec. Increasing the wind speed above the aforementioned value results in significant differences in the results obtained between those methods. In all experiments, the results of the concentration of odor in the samples using the static chamber were consistently higher than those from the samples measured in the Lindvall chamber. Lastly, the results of experiments were employed to determine a model function of the relationship between wind speed and odor concentration values.

Implications: Several researchers wrote that there are no widely accepted chamber-based methods. Also, there is still a need for standardization to ensure full comparability of these methods. The present study compared the existing methods to improve the standardization of area source sampling. The practical usefulness of the results was proving that both examined chambers can be used interchangeably. Statistically similar results were achieved while odor concentration was below 60 ou_E/m³ and wind speed inside the Lindvall chamber was below 0.2 m/sec. Increasing wind speed over these values results in differences between these methods. A model function of relationship between wind speed and odor concentration value was determined.     

Capture of CO2 on γ-Al2O3 materials prepared by solution-combustion and ball-milling processes

A series of porous γ-Al₂O₃ materials was prepared by solution-combustion and ball-milling processes. The as-prepared powders were physicochemically characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and N₂ physisorption measurements and their performances in CO₂ adsorption at different pressures (0.5 to 1.5 MPa) and temperatures (40 to 60ºC) were investigated. It was found that γ-Al₂O₃ synthesized by the solution-combustion process and ball milled at 10 hr exhibited the best CO₂ adsorption performance at 60ºC and 1.5 MPa, achieving a maximum of 1.94 mmol/g compared to the four studied materials, as a result of their interesting microstructure and surface properties (i.e., nanocrystallinity, specific surface area, narrow pore size distribution, and large total pore volume). Our study shows that the γ-Al₂O₃ prepared by solution combustion followed by ball milling presents a fairly good potential adsorbent for efficient CO₂ capture.

Implications: In this work, γ-Al₂O₃ materials were successfully obtained by solution combustion and modified via ball milling. These improved materials were systematically investigated as solid adsorbents of accessible surface areas, large pore volumes, and narrow pore size distribution for the CO₂ capture. These studied solid adsorbents can provide an additional contribution and effort to develop an efficient CO₂ capture method as means of alleviating the serious global warning problem.     

Synthesis of a novel slow-release potassium fertilizer from modified Pidgeon magnesium slag by potassium carbonate

A novel slow-release potassium fertilizer (SPF) was synthesized using Pidgeon magnesium slag (PMS) and potassium carbonate, which could minimize fertilizer nutrient loss and PMS disposal problems. Orthogonal experiments were conducted to determine the optimum conditions for synthesis. The potassium (K)-bearing compounds of SPF existed mainly in the form of crystalline phases Ca_1.197K_0.166SiO₄, K₂MgSiO₄, and K₄CaSi₃O₉, and in the noncrystalline phase. The active silicon content of SPF was 2.09 times as much as that of magnesium slag, and the slow-release character of SPF met the requirement for partly slow-release fertilizer in the national standard (GB/T23348-2009). The best models for describing the K release kinetics in water and 2% citric acid were the Elovich model and the first-order model, respectively. The heavy metal contents of SPF conformed to the national standard for organic–inorganic compound fertilizers, and the leaching mass concentrations of heavy metals and Fluorine were far lower than the limit values of the identification standard for hazardous waste identification for extraction toxicity (GB5085.3-2007), and also met the class II quality standard for ground water. The environmental risk of SPF is therefore very low, but because SPF is alkaline, its effect on soil pH should be taken into account.

Implications: PMS is the solid waste resulting from the production of magnesium metal by Pidgeon’s reduction process. Utilization of PMS in the high-technology and high-value areas may promote the high-efficiency development of worldwide collection metallic magnesium industry and contribute to the reduction of emissions of fine dust to air. This paper presents one of the new techniques in the use of PMS as a slow-release fertilizer by adding K₂CO₃. The product can serve as a very cost-effective and reliable artificial fertilizer.     

A multi-objective assessment of an air quality monitoring network using environmental,economic, and social indicators and GIS-based models

In the United States, air pollution is primarily measured by Air Quality Monitoring Networks (AQMN). These AQMNs have multiple objectives, including characterizing pollution patterns, protecting the public health, and determining compliance with air quality standards. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a directive that air pollution agencies assess the performance of their AQMNs. Although various methods to design and assess AQMNs exist, here we demonstrate a geographic information system (GIS)-based approach that combines environmental, economic, and social indicators through the assessment of the ozone (O₃) and particulate matter (PM10) networks in Maricopa County, Arizona. The assessment was conducted in three phases: (1) to evaluate the performance of the existing networks, (2) to identify areas that would benefit from the addition of new monitoring stations, and (3) to recommend changes to the AQMN. A comprehensive set of indicators was created for evaluating differing aspects of the AQMNs’ objectives, and weights were applied to emphasize important indicators. Indicators were also classified according to their sustainable development goal. Our results showed that O₃ was well represented in the county with some redundancy in terms of the urban monitors. The addition of weights to the indicators only had a minimal effect on the results. For O₃, urban monitors had greater social scores, while rural monitors had greater environmental scores. The results did not suggest a need for adding more O₃ monitoring sites. For PM10, clustered urban monitors were redundant, and weights also had a minimal effect on the results. The clustered urban monitors had overall low scores; sites near point sources had high environmental scores. Several areas were identified as needing additional PM10 monitors. This study demonstrates the usefulness of a multi-indicator approach to assess AQMNs. Network managers and planners may use this method to assess the performance of air quality monitoring networks in urban regions.

Implications:The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a directive in 2006 that air pollution agencies assess the performance of their AQMNs; as a result, we developed a GIS-based, multi-objective assessment approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social indicators, and demonstrates its use through assessing the O₃ and PM₁₀ monitoring networks in the Phoenix metropolitan area. We exhibit a method of assessing network performance and identifying areas that would benefit from new monitoring stations; also, we demonstrate the effect of adding weights to the indicators. Our study shows that using a multi-indicator approach gave detailed assessment results for the Phoenix AQMN.     

Reaction behavior of SO2 in the sintering process with flue gas recirculation

The primary goal of this paper is to reveal the reaction behavior of SO₂ in the sinter zone, combustion zone, drying–preheating zone, and over-wet zone during flue gas recirculation (FGR) technique. The results showed that SO₂ retention in the sinter zone was associated with free-CaO in the form of CaSO₃/CaSO₄, and the SO₂ adsorption reached a maximum under 900ºC. SO₂ in the flue gas came almost from the combustion zone. One reaction behavior was the oxidation of sulfur in the sintering mix when the temperature was between 800 and 1000ºC; the other behavior was the decomposition of sulfite/sulfate when the temperature was over 1000ºC. However, the SO₂ adsorption in the sintering bed mainly occurred in the drying–preheating zone, adsorbed by CaCO₃, Ca(OH)₂, and CaO. When the SO₂ adsorption reaction in the drying–preheating zone reached equilibrium, the excess SO₂ gas continued to migrate to the over-wet zone and was then absorbed by Ca(OH)₂ and H₂O. The emission rising point of SO₂ moved forward in combustion zone, and the concentration of SO₂ emissions significantly increased in the case of flue gas recirculation (FGR) technique.

Implications: Aiming for the reuse of the sensible heat and a reduction in exhaust gas emission, the FGR technique is proposed in the iron ore sintering process. When using the FGR technique, SO₂ emission in exhaust gas gets changed. In practice, the application of the FGR technique in a sinter plant should be cooperative with the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technique. Thus, it is necessary to study the influence of the FGR technique on SO₂ emissions because it will directly influence the demand and design of the FGD system.     

Microscale air quality impacts of distributed power generation facilities

The electric system is experiencing rapid growth in the adoption of a mix of distributed renewable and fossil fuel sources, along with increasing amounts of off-grid generation. New operational regimes may have unforeseen consequences for air quality. A three-dimensional microscale chemical transport model (CTM) driven by an urban wind model was used to assess gaseous air pollutant and particulate matter (PM) impacts within ~10 km of fossil-fueled distributed power generation (DG) facilities during the early afternoon of a typical summer day in Houston, TX. Three types of DG scenarios were considered in the presence of motor vehicle emissions and a realistic urban canopy: (1) a 25-MW natural gas turbine operating at steady state in either simple cycle or combined heating and power (CHP) mode; (2) a 25-MW simple cycle gas turbine undergoing a cold startup with either moderate or enhanced formaldehyde emissions; and (3) a data center generating 10 MW of emergency power with either diesel or natural gas-fired backup generators (BUGs) without pollution controls. Simulations of criteria pollutants (NO₂, CO, O₃, PM) and the toxic pollutant, formaldehyde (HCHO), were conducted assuming a 2-hr operational time period. In all cases, NO_x titration dominated ozone production near the source. The turbine scenarios did not result in ambient concentration enhancements significantly exceeding 1 ppbv for gaseous pollutants or over 1 µg/m³ for PM after 2 hr of emission, assuming realistic plume rise. In the case of the datacenter with diesel BUGs, ambient NO₂ concentrations were enhanced by 10–50 ppbv within 2 km downwind of the source, while maximum PM impacts in the immediate vicinity of the datacenter were less than 5 µg/m³.

Implications: Plausible scenarios of distributed fossil generation consistent with the electricity grid’s transformation to a more flexible and modernized system suggest that a substantial amount of deployment would be required to significantly affect air quality on a localized scale. In particular, natural gas turbines typically used in distributed generation may have minor effects. Large banks of diesel backup generators such as those used by data centers, on the other hand, may require pollution controls or conversion to natural gas-fired reciprocal internal combustion engines to decrease nitrogen dioxide pollution.     

Association of PM2.5 pollution with the pattern of human activity: A case study of a developed city in eastern China

Recently, air pollution has attracted a substantial amount of attention in China, which can be influenced by a variety of factors, but the association between air pollution and human activity is not quite clear. Based on real-time online data (January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014) of air pollution and meteorology reported by official sites, and demographic, economic, and environmental reform data in a statistical yearbook, the influences of meteorological factors (temperature, relative humidity, precipitation intensity, and wind force) and human activities on PM_2.5 pollution were explored. After correlation analysis, logistic regression analysis, and a nonparametric test, weak negative correlations between temperature and PM_2.5 pollution were found. In most cases, festival and morning peak hours were protection and risk factors of PM_2.5 pollution, respectively. In addition, government actions, such as an afforestation project and increasing financial expenditure for energy saving and environmental protection, could greatly contribute to alleviating pollution of PM_2.5. The findings could help officials formulate effective laws and regulations, and then PM_2.5 pollution related to the pattern of human activity would be ameliorated.

Implications: Most of the time, festival and morning peak hours are protection and risk factors for PM_2.5 pollution, respectively. Increasing the percentage of afforestation area and financial expenditure for energy saving and environmental protection could significantly reduce PM_2.5 pollution. The findings can help officials formulate effective laws and regulations, and then PM_2.5 pollution related to the pattern of human activity, especially government action, will be ameliorated.     

Air quality in Yanbu,Saudi Arabia

Yanbu, on the Red Sea, is an affluent Saudi Arabian industrial city of modest size. Substantial effort has been spent to balance environmental quality, especially air pollution, and industrial development. We have analyzed six years of observations of criteria pollutants O₃, SO₂, particles (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) and the known ozone precursors—volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x). The results suggest frequent VOC-limited conditions in which ozone concentrations increase with decreasing NO_x and with increasing VOCs when NO_x is plentiful. For the remaining circumstances ozone has a complex non-linear relationship with the VOCs. The interactions between these factors at Yanbu cause measurable impacts on air pollution including the weekend effect in which ozone concentrations stay the same or even increase despite significantly lower emissions of the precursors on the weekends. Air pollution was lower during the Eids (al-Fitr and al-Adha), Ramadan and the Hajj periods. During Ramadan, there were substantial night time emissions as the cycle everyday living is almost reversed between night and day. The exceedances of air pollution standards were evaluated using criteria from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), World Health Organization (WHO), the Saudi Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) and the Royal Commission Environmental Regulations (RCER). The latter are stricter standards set just for Yanbu and Jubail. For the fine particles (PM_2.5), an analysis of the winds showed a major impact from desert dust. This effect had to be taken into account but still left many occasions when standards were exceeded. Fewer exceedances were found for SO₂, and fewer still for ozone. The paper presents a comprehensive view of air quality at this isolated desert urban environment.

Implications: Frequent VOC-limited conditions are found at Yanbu in Saudi Arabia that increase ozone pollution if NO_x is are reduced. In this desert environment, increased nightlife produces the highest levels of VOCs and NO_x at night rather than the day. The effects increase during Ramadan. Fine particles peak twice a day—the morning peak is caused by traffic and increases with decreasing wind, potentially representing health concerns, but the larger afternoon peak is caused by the wind, and it increases with increasing wind speeds. These features suggest that exposure to pollutants must be redefined for such an environment.