The Kinetics of Catalytic Incineration of Dimethyl Sulfide and Dimethyl Disulfide over an MnO/Fe2O3 Catalyst

ABSTRACT

The catalytic incineration of dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide [(CH₃)₂S and (CH₃)₂S₂] over an MnO/Fe₂O₃ catalyst was carried out in a bench-scale catalytic incinerator. Three kinetic models (i.e., the power-rate law, the Mars and Van Krevelen model, and the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model) were used to analyze the results. A differential reactor design was used for best fit of kinetic models in this study. The results show that the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model may be feasible to describe the catalytic incineration of (CH₃)₂S and (CH₃)₂S₂. This suggests that the chemical adsorption of O₂ molecules is important in this incineration.     

Properties of Cement Mortar Produced from Mixed Waste Materials with Pozzolanic Characteristics

Waste materials with pozzolanic characteristics, such as sewage sludge ash (SSA), coal combustion fly ash (FA), and granulated blast furnace slag (GBS), were reused as partial cement replacements for making cement mortar in this study. Experimental results revealed that with dual replacement of cement by SSA and GBS and triple replacement by SSA, FA, and GBS at 50% of total cement replacement, the compressive strength (Sc) of the blended cement mortars at 56 days was 93.7% and 92.9% of the control cement mortar, respectively. GBS had the highest strength activity index value and could produce large amounts of CaO to enhance the pozzolanic activity of SSA/FA and form calcium silicate hydrate gels to fill the capillary pores of the cement mortar. Consequently, the Sc development of cement mortar with GBS replacement was better than that without GBS, and the total pore volume of blended cement mortars with GBS/SSA replacement was less than that with FA/SSA replacement. In the cement mortar with modified SSA and GBS at 70% of total cement replacement, the Sc at 56 days was 92.4% of the control mortar. Modifying the content of calcium in SSA also increased its pozzolanic reaction. CaCl(2) accelerated the pozzolanic activity of SSA better than lime did. Moreover, blending cement mortars with GBS/SSA replacement could generate more monosulfoaluminate to fill capillary pores.     

Effects of acid treatments of activated carbon on its physiochemical structure as a support for copper oxide in DeSO(2) reaction catalysts

To enhance the dispersion of active sites, modification of the AC supports with different acid solution might result in various surface oxygen groups which act as anchoring sites for metallic precursor to stay and improve the reactivity between AC supports and copper precursor. In the present work, the AC support is tailored with HCl and HNO(3), respectively. The pore structure, surface oxygen groups of the AC support and catalysts as well as catalyst dispersion before and after acid treatments are systematically studied by BET, pH(slurry), TPD, and XRPD analyses. It is found that the order of activity in DeSO(2) reaction is as follows: Cu/AC-HCl>Cu/AC>Cu/AC-HNO(3). The same sequence is also observed for the pore structure of AC supports, the catalyst dispersion, but not for the amounts of CO(2) evolving during TPD experiments of supports. The key role of acid treatment on carbon surface chemistry and pore structure, which are closely related to catalyst dispersion and adsorption capacity, is examined to rationalize these findings. Furthermore, under the NO/NH(3)=1 the NO could be selective catalytic reduction with NH(3) in the presence of O(2), which catalyzed by fresh and spent AC-supported catalyst.     

Enhanced photocatalysis of pentachlorophenol by metal-modified titanium (IV) oxide

The effects of four metals (Ag, Au, Pt, and Cu) doped on TiO2 on the photocatalysis of pentachlorophenol (PCP) were investigated. The results of this study indicated that all four metals-doped TiO2 catalysts were able to enhance the efficiency of PCP photocatalysis with an optimum metallic content of 0.1 wt%. For the metal-doped TiO2 samples (Au, Pt, and Cu), the patterns of light absorption were significantly extended toward visible light spectra in the wavelengths between 400 and 800 nm. The photocatalysis of PCP was pH dependent with the maximum degradation rate achieved in the solution at pH 3. The formation of chloride ion corresponded with the concentration of PCP degraded which confirmed that dechlorination was the major pathway of PCP photocatalysis. The overall toxicities of PCP samples were reduced with the extension of light exposure using the microtox test. The results of PCP photocatalysis are also discussed based on the characteristics of metal/TiO2 including X-ray differential (XRD) patterns, Brunquer Emmett Teller (BET) specific area analysis, and Ultra Violet (UV)-Vis absorption spectra.     

Biotreatment of H2S- and NH3-containing waste gases by co-immobilized cells biofilter

Gas mixture of H2S and NH3 in this study has been the focus in the research area concerning gases generated from the animal husbandry and the anaerobic wastewater lagoons used for their treatment. A specific microflora (mixture of Thiobacillus thioparus CH11 for H2S and Nitrosomonas europaea for NH3) was immobilized with Ca-alginate and packed inside a glass column to decompose H2S and NH3. The biofilter packed with co-immobilized cells was continuously supplied with H2S and NH3 gas mixtures of various ratios, and the removal efficiency, removal kinetics, and pressure drop in the biofilter was monitored. The results showed that the efficiency remained above 95% regardless of the ratios of H2S and NH3 used. The NH3 concentration has little effect on H2S removal efficiency, however, both high NH3 and H2S concentrations significantly suppress the NH3 removal. Through product analysis, we found that controlling the inlet ratio of the H2S/NH3 could prevent the biofilter from acidification, and, therefore, enhance the operational stability. Conclusions from bioaerosol analysis and pressure drop in the biofilter suggest that the immobilized cell technique creates less environmental impact and improves pure culture operational stability. The criteria for the biofilter operation to meet the current H2S and NH3 emission standards were also established. To reach Taiwan's current ambient air standards of H2S and NH3 (0.1 and 1 ppm, respectively), the maximum inlet concentrations should not exceed 58 ppm for H2S and 164 ppm for NH3, and the residence time be kept at 72 s.     

The catalytic incineration of styrene over an Mn2O3/Fe2O3 catalyst

In this study, styrene monomer (SM) was treated by a commercial catalyst, Mn2O3/Fe2O3, in a fixed-bed reactor. The study can be classified into two major parts. First, the effects of operating factors, such as temperature, SM concentration, space velocity, and O2 concentration, on the performance of the catalyst were investigated. Second, two catalyst life tests were carried out to characterize the deactivation effect of SM. The results show that the catalyst results in higher conversion of SM at a higher inlet temperature and higher O2 concentrations. The conversion of SM decreases with increasing SM concentration and space velocity. From the statistical analysis of the data, we find that temperature is the most important factor on the catalytic incineration. Oxygen concentration, SM concentration, and space velocity are significant parameters as well. This paper also provides information on the deactivation effect of SM. The catalysts were characterized by surface and pore-size analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) before and after the tests. The results show that the catalytic deactivation may be caused by carbon coating, and the pore size and surface area of the catalyst are smaller after deactivation.     

Mussel watch: a review of Cu and other metals in various marine organisms in Taiwan, 1991-98

This study presents the distribution of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg and As in various marine organisms collected along the western coast of Taiwan from 1991 to 1998, and also evaluates the time variation of Cu in oysters before (1980-85) and after (1986-98) the "green oyster" incident. The results show that relatively high geometric mean (GM) concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As and Hg were generally found in Crassostrea gigas (Cu=229 microg/g, Zn=783 microg/g), Gomphina aeguialtera (Pb=30.3 microg/g), Tegillarca granosa (Cd=2.85 microg/g), Thais clavigera (As=96.9 microg/g) and Parapenaeopsis cornuta (Hg=1.35 microg/g), respectively. Especially, maximum Cu and Zn concentrations (GM=229 and 783 microg/g, respectively) in oysters (C. gigas) from different culture areas were much higher than those of the other organisms by about 1.13-458 and 2.40-63.7 times, respectively. Similarly, rock-shells (Thais clavigera) had a high capacity for accumulating Cu (GM=202 microg/g) and Zn (GM=326 microg/g) under the same physico-chemical conditions. The highest GM Cu and Zn concentrations of 1108 (range from 113 to 2806) and 1567 (range from 303 to 3593) microg/g were obtained in oysters from the Hsiangshan coastal area, one of the most important oyster culture areas in Taiwan. However, the highest GM Cd and As concentrations of 6.82 and 19.3 microg/g were found in oysters from the Machu Islands. Mean Cu concentrations in the oysters from the Erhjin Chi estuary declined from 2194+/-212 microg/g in 1986-90 to 545 microg/g (GM) in 1991-96. In the Hsiganshan area, GM Cu concentrations of 909 microg/g (1991-96) and 1351 microg/g (1997-98) in oysters were significantly higher than those of 201 microg/g (1980-85) and 682 microg/g (1986-90). The gradually increasing levels of Cu and Zn in the oysters from the Hsiangshan area have been observed year by year.     

Modeling the Impacts of Cetacean-Focused Tourism in Taiwan: Observations from Cetacean Watching Boats: 2002–2005

Cetacean-focused tourism in Taiwan has grown rapidly since 1997. This development, measured in terms of both number of tour boats and visitors, has resulted in many resource management challenges stemming from the absence of regulation and scientific data. To fill this void in empirical evidence, we used 464 sighting records from 2002 to 2005 to model the impact of cetacean-focused tourism. Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated cetacean avoidance responses to cetacean watching boats were strongly associated with pod size, mother–calf pairs, and cetacean-vessel distances. Mother–calf pairs abandoned their avoidance tactic by 55% compared to noncalf groups when tour boats approached. Second, the hazard ratio of abundance was 0.996, suggesting that the odds of encountering avoidance responses by the cetaceans decreased by 42% for every 100-member increase in the cetacean pod size. Last, distances maintained by boats from the cetaceans was positively related to avoidance responses (i.e., less avoidance behavior with closer interaction). Based on our findings, we have the following recommendations: (a) limit vessels from approaching mothers with calves, (b) limit vessels from approaching small groups of cetaceans, (c) reduced avoidance behavior to boat traffic may be a red flag for potential long-term disturbance, and (d) apply the “precautionary principle” based on the best scientific information available in cetacean-based tourism in Taiwan. These recommendations will help contribute to the sustainable development of cetacean-focused tourism in Taiwan.     

Effects of sedimentation on the gorgonian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Subergorgia suberosa</Emphasis> (Pallas, 1766)

Effects of oceanic and terrestrial sediment suspensions on the behavioral traits activity, colony expansion, and mucus formation of the gorgonian octocoral Subergorgia suberosa (Pallas, 1766) were studied in the laboratory. Increased sediment concentration significantly changed the logits of activity indices (as colony expansion) and was correlated with decreased activity. For both sources of sediments, the activity index decreased as the concentration of sediment increased. The level of decrease was more significance for terrestrial sediments. The activity index showed no clear time pattern for the control group, but a decrease over time occurred in both sediment treatment groups. Activity change was linearly correlated with exposure time and concentration of terrestrial and ocean sediments. The activity indices of polyps were negatively correlated with the formation of mucus sheets (correlation = −0.536, p = 0.048). For both sources of sediments, the frequency of mucus sheet formation (MSF) increased with sediment concentration. Increases in terrestrial sediment loads resulted in more striking effects. The probability for MSF under different sediment groups at different concentrations over time was modeled by regressions. Frequency of polyp activity is suggested as a suitable biomarker to monitor the effects of sedimentation stress.