焦粉成型技术

冶金、化工、电石生产企业，因生产工艺要求需要将大块的焦炭破碎成一定粒度的块焦，破碎过程要产生20％－25％的焦粉。本文针对目前工业废弃焦粉再利用问题，通过深入调查，反复试验，取得了很好的效果。为冶金、化工、电石生产企业废弃焦粉成型再利用找到一条切实可行的方法。     

兰炭焦粉的石墨化探索性研究

兰炭是利用陕北榆林地区低磷、低硫、低挥发分煤经低温干馏得到的一种煤化工产品,在其生产过程产生大约15%左右的焦粉,目前主要作为冶金用还原剂或者低级燃料廉价处理,经济价值较低。为了开辟焦粉的高副价值利用新途径,对焦粉的石墨化技术进行了探索研究。结果表明,焦粉直接石墨化,2 500℃时其石墨化度可达90%,而在铜粉、氧化铁和二氧化钛催化作用下,1 800℃时焦粉的石墨化度达到90%以上,达到同样的石墨化效果,催化剂的作用可使石墨化温度直接降低700℃,焦粉石墨化过程能耗得到很大程度降低。另外,焦粉热处理温度越高,产物纯度越高,石墨化效果越好,Cu粉催化作用下产物的2H晶型趋于更完整。研究结果不但为焦粉的石墨化提供理论与技术支持,而且为制备石墨材料开辟了新的原料来源,并促进榆林地区兰炭产业的健康发展。     

高速粉碎机作用下的电路板真空热解渣破碎特性

首先利用高速粉碎机对大颗粒废弃电路板真空热解渣进行破碎处理,然后采用筛分和颗粒计数法研究破碎产物的破碎规律与解离特性。结果表明,大颗粒废弃电路板真空热解渣在破碎过程中存在着显著的选择性破碎,金属铜主要分布在较粗粒级产物中,玻璃纤维和炭黑则主要分布在较细粒级产物中,并且铜能在较大粒级上实现充分解离;98.64%的铜分布在粒级为0.45~4.0 mm的破碎产物中,而92.05%的玻璃纤维和炭黑分布在粒级为-0.45 mm的破碎产物中;当粒级为-2.0 mm时,铜的解离度达到100%。     

改性焦粉对氟离子吸附热力学及机理

以废弃焦粉为原料，50％硝酸为改性剂，借助JSM、XRD和XPS现代分析测试方法表征其结构。考察了改性焦粉对氟离子吸附模型、热力学参数、粘附几率和活化能，初步探讨了吸附机理。结果表明，硝酸改性焦粉是硝酸刻蚀焦粉表面增加孔结构，增大表面积，表面氧化形成较为丰富含氧功能组的过程；吸附符合Langmuir和Langmuir吸...     

粉煤灰、电石渣及其配合物碳酸化特性

为了促进粉煤灰和电石渣建材化高效利用和协同矿化CO_2减排,研究了粉煤灰、电石渣及其配合物的碳酸化特性。实验采用pH在线测试方法分别对粉煤灰、电石渣以及两者配合物的碳酸化过程的pH进行在线测试,并对原料和产物进行XRD、TGA和SEM表征。结果表明:相同条件下,粉煤灰碳酸化浆液pH降到7.0的平均速度约为电石渣的51倍;与等量电石渣单独碳酸化相比,粉煤灰与电石渣按照4:1(质量比)复配碳酸化pH降低到7.0的速度较纯电石渣提高了近5.6倍,且在相同电石渣配量的条件下,粉煤灰-电石渣复配料比碳酸钙-电石渣复配料的碳酸化反应完成时间缩短了31.6%,说明电石渣与粉煤灰复配后进行碳酸化反应具有明显协同促进作用。TGA分析表明,纯粉煤灰和纯电石渣的固碳率分别约为2%和61.3%,粉煤灰与电石渣复配料的固碳率较等量单一电石渣和粉煤灰的固碳率之和的计算值提高了19.6%。SEM分析表明,粉煤灰与电石渣复配料碳酸化产物碳酸钙颗粒在粉煤灰表面呈现异位分散附着形态,而单一电石渣碳酸化产物碳酸钙则在电石渣颗粒表面呈现原位聚集附着形态。这可能是复配料固碳率提高的主要原因。     

废弃印刷电路板的破碎解离特性研究

废弃印刷电路板(WPCB)的破碎解离是WPCB进行后续资源化利用的前提条件,采用剪切式破碎机和万能高速破碎机分别对WPCB进行了粗破碎和细破碎,筛分后对不同粒径的粉碎产物进行粒径分布分析、显微镜观察和单体解离度研究。结果表明,WPCB经两次粗破碎后,大部分粗碎产物粒径≥1.2mm,占总产物质量的85%以上,经细破碎后,约有50%(质量分数)细碎产物粒径0.30mm。WPCB的细碎产物破碎至粒径0.90mm,可以认为金属和非金属基本分离;破碎至粒径0.60mm,可以认为金属和非金属完全解离。金属主要集中分布在粒径为0.30~1.20mm的细碎产物中。     

超临界丙酮降解废弃线路板中的溴化环氧树脂

探讨废弃线路板中溴化环氧树脂在超临界丙酮中的脱溴降解特性,重点考察了温度、反应时间和有机溶剂添加量对溴化环氧树脂降解特性的影响,确立的最佳实验条件为:温度260℃、保温时间1~2 h、丙酮添加量20~40 mL,系统压强3~6 MPa,此时溴化环氧树脂能够快速降解,脱溴率达到97.94%,降解产物主要为苯酚和异丙基苯酚,含量分别为60.99%和3.12%,降解产物中溴主要以HBr的形式存在于油相中,可以用碱液从油相中萃取脱除。线路板经超临界丙酮处理后,铜箔与玻璃纤维自动分层解离便于后续破碎回收,为废弃线路板的无害化处理和资源回收利用提供了一条新途径。     

超临界丙酮降解废弃线路板中的溴化环氧树脂简

探讨废弃线路板中溴化环氧树脂在超临界丙酮中的脱溴降解特性，重点考察了温度、反应时间和有机溶剂添加量对溴化环氧树脂降解特性的影响，确立的最佳实验条件为：温度260℃、保温时间1~2 h、丙酮添加量20~40 mL，系统压强3~6 MPa，此时溴化环氧树脂能够快速降解，脱溴率达到97.94%，降解产物主要为苯酚和异丙基苯酚，含量分别为60.99%和3.12%，降解产物中溴主要以HBr的形式存在于油相中，可以用碱液从油相中萃取脱除。线路板经超临界丙酮处理后，铜箔与玻璃纤维自动分层解离便于后续破碎回收，为废弃线路板的无害化处理和资源回收利用提供了一条新途径。     

电石渣生产水泥

四川宜宾天源集团开发出电石渣生产的水泥，这种绿色环保特种水泥，采用燃煤废渣和电石渣作原料，采用国内最成熟的干法回转窑生产装置，年产量达34万t，比石灰石生产水泥节能30％，降低生产成本50％，电石渣水泥质量比普通水泥提高1～2个等级，实现了废物的资源化。     

2004年(第二届)上海国际废弃物处理技术与设备展览会

时间 :2 0 0 4年 4月 2 1日— 2 3日　地点 :上海展览中心展览内容●固体废弃物处理技术与设备输送与储存技术与设备 ;分检技术与设备 ;破碎压迫技术与设备 ;焚烧技术与设备 ;切剪打包技术与设备 ;无害化处理技术与设备●液态废弃物处理技术与设备物理法处理技术与设备 ;化学法处理技术与设备 ;生物法处理技术与设备 ;综合处理技术与设备●资源综合利用技术与设备废旧轮胎再利用技术与设备 ;废弃家用电器再利用技术与设备 ;废弃电池再利用技术与设备 ;其他工业、生活废弃物再利用技术与设备●环境保护服务项目废弃物、废水处理的操作 ;分析…     

Heavy metal pollution in China: Origin,pattern and control

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Heavy metal is among one of the pollutants, which cause severe threats to humans and the environment in China. The aim of the present review is to make information on the source of heavy metal pollution, distribution of heavy metals in the environment, and measures of pollution control accessible internationally, which are mostly published in Chinese. METHODS: Information from scientific journals, university journals and governmental releases are compiled focusing mainly on Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Partly Al, As, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn and Ni a included also in part as well. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In soil, the average contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.097, 22.6, 26.0 and 74.2 mg/kg, respectively. In the water of the Yangtze River Basin, the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.080, 7.91, 15.7 and 18.7 microg/L, respectively. In reference to human activities, the heavy metal pollution comes from three sources: industrial emission, wastewater and solid waste. The environment such as soil, water and air were polluted by heavy metals in some cases. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn even reach 3.16, 99.3, 84.1 and 147 mg/kg, respectively, in the soils of a wastewater irrigation zone. These contaminants pollute drinking water and food, and threaten human health. Some diseases resulting from pollution of geological and environmental origin, were observed with long-term and non-reversible effects. CONCLUSIONS: In China, the geological background level of heavy metal is low, but with the activity of humans, soil, water, air, and plants are polluted by heavy metals in some cases and even affect human health through the food chain. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: To remediate and improve environmental quality is a long strategy for the polluted area to keep humans and animals healthy. Phytoremediation would be an effective technique to remediate the heavy metal pollutions.     

The legacy from the 50 years of acid rain research,forming present and future research and monitoring of ecosystem impact: This article belongs to Ambio’s 50th Anniversary Collection. Theme: Acidification

Acid rain and acidification research are indeed a multidisciplinary field. This field evolved from the first attempts to mitigate acid freshwater in the 1920s, then linking acid rain to the acidification in late 1950s, to the broad project-concepts on cause and effect from the late 1960s. Three papers from 1974, 1976 and 1988 demonstrate a broad approach and comprise scientific areas from analytical chemistry, biochemistry, limnology, ecology, physiology and genetics. Few, if any, environmental problems have led to a public awareness, political decisions and binding limitations as the story of acid rain. Acid precipitation and acidification problems still exist, but at a lower pressure, and liming has been reduced accordingly. However, the biological responses in the process of recovery are slow and delayed. The need for basic science, multidisciplinary studies, long time series of high-quality data, is a legacy from the acid rain era, and must form the platform for all future environmental projects.     

反冲洗周期对生物除锰滤池去除效果的影响

反冲洗周期是生物除铁除锰滤池的一个重要运行参数，实验中分别设定反冲洗周期为24、48和72h，考察反冲洗周期对成熟稳定运行的滤柱出水铁、锰、氨氮和浊度的影响。结果表明，不同反冲洗周期，滤柱对铁、锰和氨氮均有很好的去除效果，出水中的总Fe、Mn“和NH？-N的平均浓度分别为0．018、0．003和0．016mg／L，0．010、0．001和0．014mg/L，0．013、0．001和0．014mg／L，均远低于国家标准，说明反冲洗周期变化对三者的去除效果没有影响。反冲洗周期为24、48和72h时，出水平均浊度分别为0．27、0．38和0．57NTU，反冲洗周期越长，出水浊度越高。滤柱沿程浊度分析发现，浊度主要在0～O．4m去除，出水浊度与滤层厚度无关。反冲洗后5rain出水浊度为3．16NTU，15min降到了1NTU以下，25min降到了0．5NTU，60min大约降到了反冲洗前的水平。     

Aquaculture effects on environmental and public welfare - the case of Mediterranean mariculture

Aquatic farming has been considered, during the last decades, as the fastest growing food production industry powered by governmental and technological impulsion. Compensation for fisheries decline, creation of new jobs and source of financial windfall are the most important benefits. However, similar to most of the human food-production activities, aquaculture raised several issues related to the environmental welfare and consumer safety. An effort to record the aquaculture-environment and -human safety interactions with regard to the Mediterranean mariculture, is attempted herein. We focused on this geographical area due to its individualities in both the hydrological and physicochemical characteristics and the forms of aquaculture activities. The cage farming of euryhaline marine fish species and more recently of bluefin tuna and mollusk farming are the dominating aquaculture activities. The impacts of these activities to the environment, through wastes offloads, introduction of alien species, genetic interactions, disease transfer, release of chemicals, use of wild recourses, alterations of coastal habitats and disturbance of wildlife, are analytically considered. Also the consumer safety issues related to the farming are assessed, including generation of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, contaminants transferred to humans though food chain and other hazards from consumption of aquacultured items. Within these, the major literature findings are critically examined and suggestions for scientific areas that need further development are made. The major tasks for future aquaculture development in this region are: (i) to ensure sustainability and (ii) to balance the risks to public or environmental health with the substantial economical benefits. In regard with monitoring, tools must be created or adapted to predict the environmental costs and estimate consumer impact. At a canonistic and legal basis, the establishment of appropriate legal guidelines and common policies from all countries involved should be mandatory.     

Pharmaceuticals in the Environment in Italy: Causes, Occurrence, Effects and Control

- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2006.01.004 Background, Aim and Scope Environmental contamination by pharmaceuticals is an emerging issue. Until recently, information on medicinal substances released into the environment was scant, but several studies have now been published. Data are, however, usually scattered and a systematic approach to this subject is generally lacking. Moreover, because of differences in the prevalence of diseases, treatment habits and options, or simply for market reasons, the pollution profile can differ significantly in different countries. The aim of this work is to review the papers dealing with environmental contamination by pharmaceuticals in Italy, with the aim of providing a comprehensive view on a national scale. Methods Papers related to environmental contamination by pharmaceuticals in Italy were reviewed, in order to offer a comprehensive view of this subject. Topics included analysis, occurrence, monitoring, modelling, treatment, control of the emissions, and ecotoxicological effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Results and Conclusion The literature suggests that pharmaceuticals are widespread contaminants, entering the environment from a myriad of scattered points. Patients, in case of drugs for human use, or animals for veterinary drugs, are the main sources of contamination. Pharmaceuticals can be ranked according to environmental loads, predicted by multiplying sales figures by the rate of metabolism in man or animals. Priority pharmaceuticals, i.e. the molecules of concern for the environment, can be measured in waste and surface water by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the loads detected are generally comparable to the predicted ones. Pharmaceuticals are designed to stimulate a response in humans and animals at low doses, with a very specific target, so the implications for human health and the environment need to be assessed. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that pharmaceutical principles, taken singularly or in combinations, and concentrations close to those detected in the environment, may have ecotoxicological effects. The sewage system is an important point in the control of contamination, but sewage treatment plants are not able efficiently to abate a substantial part of water-borne pharmaceuticals. Several variables play a role, however, in the processes of waste water treatment, and could be specifically adjusted to improve the efficiency of drug abatement, mitigating the potential environmental hazards. Recommendation and Perspective Pharmaceuticals in the environment are becoming a subject of global concern, with potential environmental consequences. Further knowledge of the causes, occurrence and effects of drugs as environmental pollutants is necessary for a better understanding of this ecological issue, as well as to improve abatement strategies, and to mitigate subtle environmental consequences.     

Sorption behavior of U(VI) on phyllite: experiments and modeling

The sorption of U(VI) onto low-grade metamorphic rock phyllite was modeled with the diffuse double layer model (DDLM) using the primary mineralogical constituents of phyllite, i.e. quartz, chlorite, muscovite, and albite, as input components, and as additional component, the poorly ordered Fe oxide hydroxide mineral, ferrihydrite. Ferrihydrite forms during the batch sorption experiment as a weathering product of chlorite. In this process, Fe(II), leached from the chlorite, oxidizes to Fe(III), hydrolyses and precipitates as ferrihydrite. The formation of ferrihydrite during the batch sorption experiment was identified by M?ssbauer spectroscopy, showing a 2.8% increase of Fe(III) in the phyllite powder. The ferrihydrite was present as Fe nanoparticles or agglomerates with diameters ranging from 6 to 25 nm, with indications for even smaller particles. These Fe colloids were detected in centrifugation experiments of a ground phyllite suspension using various centrifugal forces. The basis for the successful interpretation of the experimental sorption data of uranyl(VI) on phyllite were: (1) the determination of surface complex formation constants of uranyl with quartz, chlorite, muscovite, albite, and ferrihydrite in individual batch sorption experiments, (2) the determination of surface acidity constants of quartz, chlorite, muscovite, and albite obtained from separate acid-base titration, (3) the determination of surface site densities of quartz, chlorite, muscovite, and albite evaluated independently of each other with adsorption isotherms, and (4) the quantification of the secondary phase ferrihydrite, which formed during the batch sorption experiments with phyllite. The surface complex formation constants and the protolysis constants were optimized by using the experimentally obtained data sets and the computer code FITEQL. Surface site densities were evaluated from adsorption isotherms at pH 6.5. The uranyl(VI) sorption onto phyllite was accurately modeled with these newly determined constants and parameters of the main mineralogical constituents of phyllite and the secondary mineralization phase ferrihydrite. The modeling indicated that uranyl sorption to ferrihydrite clearly dominates uranyl sorption, showing the great importance of secondary iron phases for sorption studies.     

Non-controlled biogenic emissions to the atmosphere from Lazareto landfill, Tenerife, Canary Islands

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: [corrected] Historically, landfills have been the simplest form of eliminating urban solid waste with the minimum cost. They have been the most usual method for discarding solid waste. However, landfills are considered authentic biochemical reactors that introduce large amounts of contaminants into the environment in the form of gas and leachates. The dynamics of generation and the movement of gas in landfills depend on the input and output parameters, as well as on the structure of the landfill and the kind of waste. The input parameters include water introduced through natural or artificial processes, the characteristics of the urban solid waste, and the input of atmospheric air. The main output parameters for these biochemical reactors include the gases and the leachates that are potentially pollutants for the environment. Control systems are designed and installed to minimize the impact on the environment. However, these systems are not perfect and a significant amount of landfill gas could be released to the atmosphere through the surface in a diffuse form, also known as Non-controlled emission. In this paper, the results of the Non-controlled biogenic gas emissions from the Lazareto landfill in Tenerife, Canary Islands, are presented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concentration of CH4 and CO2 in the soil gas of the landfill cover, the CH4 and CO2 efflux from the surface of the landfill and, finally, to compare these parameters with other similar landfills. In this way, a better understanding of the process that controls biogenic gas emissions in landfills is expected. METHODS: A Non-controlled biogenic gas emission survey of 281 sampling sites was carried out during February and March, 2002. The sampling sites were selected in order to obtain a well-distributed sampling grid. Surface landfill CO2 efflux measurements were carried out at each sampling site on the surface landfill together with soil gas collection and ground temperatures at a depth of 30-40 cm.The CH4 efflux was computed from CO2 efflux and from the ratio CH4/CO2 in the soil gas. Soil gas samples were collected at a depth of 30-40 cm using a metallic probe and 20 cc hypodermic syringes, and later stored in evacuated 10 cc vacutainers for laboratory analysis of bulk composition. The gas sample was introduced in a vacutainer filled with deionized water and displacing the water until the vacutainer was filled with the gas sample in order to avoid air contamination from entering. The surface landfill temperature of the landfill was measured at a depth of 40 cm using a digital thermometer type OMEGA 871A. Landfill gases, CO2 and CH4, were analyzed within 24 hours using a double channel VARIAN micro-GC QUAD CP-2002P, with a 10 meter PORAPLOT-Q column, a TCD detector, and He as a carrier gas. The analysis temperature was 40 degrees C and the injection time was 10 msec. Surface landfill CO2 efflux measurements were performed using a portable NDIR spectrophotometer Licor-800 according to the accumulation chamber method (Chiodini et al. 1996). The data treatment, aimed at drawing the flux map and computing the total gas output, was based on the application of stochastic simulation algorithms provided by the GSLIB program (Deutsch and Journel 1998). RESULTS: Diffuse CH4 and CO2 efflux values range from negligible values up to 7,148 and 30,573 g m(-2) d(-1), respectively. The spatial distribution of the concentration and efflux of CO2, CH4 and soil temperature, show three areas of maximum activity in the landfill, suggesting a non-uniform pattern of diffuse degassing. This correlation between high emissions and concentration of CO2, CH4 and soil temperatures suggests that the areas of higher microbial activity and exothermic reactions are releasing CO2 and CH4 to the atmosphere from the landfill. Taking into consideration the spatial distribution of the CO2 and CH4 efflux values as well as the extension of the landfill, the Non-controlled emission of CO2 and CH4 to the atmosphere by the Lazareto's landfill are of 167 +/- 13.3 and 16 +/- 2.5 t d(-1), respectively. DISCUSSION: The patterns of gas flow within the landfill seem to be affected by boundary materials at the sides. The basalt layers have a low permeability and the gas flow in these areas is extensive. In this area, where a basalt layer does not exist, the flow gas diffuses toward the sea and the flux emissions at the landfill surface are lower. This behavior reflects the possible dissolution of gases into water and the deflection of gases towards the surface at the basalt boundary. The proximity to the sea, the installation of a palm tree garden and, as a result, the contribution of water coming from the watering of this garden has reactivated the system. The introduction of sea water into the landfill and the type of boundary could be defining the superficial gas discharges. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicate that the spatial distribution of Non-controlled emission of CO2 and CH4 at the Lazareto's landfill shows a non-uniform pattern of diffuse degassing. The northeast, central and northwest areas of the Lazareto's landfill are the three areas of high emissions and concentration of CO2 and CH4, and high temperatures. The correlation between high emissions and the concentration of CO2, CH4, and the high temperatures suggest that the areas of higher microbial activity and exothermic reactions are releasing more CO2 and CH4 to the atmosphere from the landfill. A high concentration of CO2 is probably due to the presence of methanotrophic bacteria in the soil atmosphere of the landfill. Patterns of gas flow within the landfill seem to be affected by boundary materials (basalt layers) of low permeability, and side boundaries of the flux emissions at the surface are higher. At the sides of seawater and sediment boundaries, flux emissions at the landfill surface are lower. This behavior reflects a possible dissolution of gases into the water and the deflection of gases towards the surface at the basalt boundary. With this study, we can compare the data obtained in this landfill with other landfills and observe the different levels of emission. The proximity to the sea and the installation of the palm tree garden palms and, as a result, the contribution of water coming from the watering of this garden has reactivated the system. Many landfills worldwide located in similar settings could experience similar gas production processes. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: The need for investigating and monitoring sea water and sediment quality in these landfills is advisable. Concentrations and fluxes of contaminants and their impact in the area should be assessed. With this study we can compare the data obtained in these landfills with other landfills and observe the different levels of emission.     

混凝法处理油田污水的试验研究

目前 ,含油污水的处理多以回注地下作为处理目标。然而随着油田产生的含油污水日益增多 ,仅回注地下已不能满足生产需要 ,大量处理后的水不得不向地表水体排放。研究了如何处理含油污水并使之达到排放标准。采用PAC、Al2 (SO4 ) 3、PAM等絮凝剂对油田含油污水进行混凝试验研究。试验结果表明 :PAC与PAM复配比单独使用处理效果更好 ,尤其对COD具有很好的去除作用。混凝后含油污水再经过过滤吸附处理 ,完全可以达到GB 8978 1996排放标准     

(AO)_2SBR同步脱氮除磷的研究

以人工配水为研究对象,采用厌氧/好氧/缺氧/好氧交替运行的序批式反应器,研究了(AO)2SBR系统同步脱氮除磷的效果,并结合批式实验讨论了同步脱氮除磷的反应机理。研究结果表明,该系统以厌氧1.5 h、好氧1 h、缺氧3h、好氧0.5 h的方式运行,在DO=2.5 mg/L,SRT=15 d的条件下,具有良好的脱氮除磷效果,配水中的总氮、总磷、COD和总有机碳的去除率分别为96.26%、99.87%、90.46%和85.57%。批式实验表明,合成的内碳源越多,氨氮的硝化越充分,反硝化除磷越多。     

Comprehensive study on dioxin contents in binder and anti-caking agent feed additives

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were determined in some additives widely employed as binder and anti-caking agents in feedstuffs, such as kaolin, bentonite, zeolite, etc. with an special attention on sepiolite samples. Owing to their physico-chemical properties, the little information of these materials reported in the literature, the variability of PCDDs/PCDFs found in a preliminary evaluation and the absence of reference materials highlighted further research needed. Therefore, an extensive study on the analytical procedures based on the classical methods was performed with sepiolite samples. The study includes evaluation of reproducibility and repeatibility. To this end, a series of intra-day and nine inter-day analysis were made. The methodolgy was also assessed against the sample size and series of 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50 g were analyzed. In all cases, the results confirmed good correlation with the parameters evaluated.