The effects of socioeconomic parameters on household solid-waste generation and composition in developing countries (a case study: Ahvaz,Iran)

Environment problems associated with the generation of waste are part of societal changes where households play an important role. These societal changes influence the size, structure and characteristic of given households. For the effective planning of solid-waste handling infrastructure, it is essential to know the quantity of waste generation and its composition. This paper presents the findings of a study carried out in an urban municipal area in Iran to determine the household solid-waste generation rate and waste composition based on field surveys and to determine the related socioeconomic parameters. The dependent variables were waste generation and composition, and independent variables were family size, family employment, age, number of room and education. Over 400 sample households were selected for the study using a stratified random sampling methodology and from five different socioeconomic groups. Waste collected from all groups of households were segregated and weighted. Waste generation rate was 5.4 kg/household/day. Household solid waste comprised of ten categories of wastes and with the largest component (76.9%). The generation and composition of household solid waste were correlated with family size, education level and households income. This paper adequately suggests new insights concerning the role of socioeconomic parameters in affecting the generation of household waste.     

南京长江隧道火灾数值模拟

以南京长江隧道为研究背景,运用火灾动力学模拟软件PYROSIM建立实体物理模型,并将空间划分为0.1 ×0.1 ×0.1m3的网格,对南京长江隧道火灾过程中的纵向通风进行模拟计算.定量分析了不同通风速率条件下火灾及烟气蔓延的规律,并得到隧道拱顶附近温度和烟气分布状况.模拟结果显示较小风速下烟气会产生回流,但随着风速增大烟气扩散速率随之加快,通过对3种不同风速的分析比较,选择3.0m/s纵向通风作为临界风速.进一步结合南京长江隧道现有的消防设施及应急救援系统,分析该临界风速下烟气温度对隧道结构和毒害气体对人员疏散救援的影响.结果显示此临界风速下隧道结构安全,且在疏散及时、救援有效的基础上,基本能保证人员疏散安全.