Improved source assessment of Si, Al and related mineral components to PM10 based on a daily sampling procedure

Samples obtained from an industrialized valley in the East Alpine region were collected daily for a half year and analyzed using X-ray fluorescence to examine the elements Si,Al,Fe,Ca,Mg,Na,K,Zn,P,S and Cl.Some factors affecting the changes of these elements were considered,including time,elemental correlations,weekday,weekend and seasonal changes.Diagnostic analysis provided an insight into a decoupling behavior that occursin siliceous and carbonates minerals.A decrease in Si and Al and an increase in carbonates,Na,K,Zn and P were observed during the cold season.However,a consistently high correlation of Si and Al was observed in all seasons.It was established that such high levels originated from street surface abrasion.The increase in variability and absolute levels of carbonates during the cold season was demonstrated by adding carbonates to the street surface as gritting material to increase the grip on snowy surfaces.A marked increase in Na and Cl was observed in winter which may have been caused by thaw salt that is widely used in winter in Austria.This was associated with a significant increase in K,Zn,and P in the cold season that was the result of domestic space heating with wood.PM10 levels in December were 12 μg/m3 and were higher than levels detected in July.It was established that such high levels originated from mineral oxides,wood smoke,and inorganic ionic material(s).     

Aromatic Copolyester-based Nano-biocomposites: Elaboration, Structural Characterization and Properties

Biodegradable polymers are one of the most promising ways to replace non-degradable polymers. But, to be a real alternative to classical synthetic polymers and find applications, biopolymer (biodegradable polymer) properties have to be enhanced. Nano-biocomposites, which are obtained by incorporation of nanofillers into a biomatrix, are an interesting way to achieve these improvements. Modified and unmodified montmorillonites have been introduced into a biodegradable aromatic copolyester, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Structural characterization, thermal and mechanical tests have been carried out to understand better the relations between the nanofillers structuring and the final nano-biocomposite properties. Main results show that clay incorporation and the obtained intercalated structures improve PBAT properties (enhanced thermal stability, increased stiffness) and thus may increase the attractiveness of this biopolymer.     

淀粉改性混凝剂复合硅酸盐对微污染水强化混凝性能研究

传统混凝工艺对微污染地表水净化效果有限,此外,近年来淀粉等天然高分子混凝剂由于绿色环保等特点而备受关注.本研究采用一种阳离子改性淀粉材料(淀粉-3-氯-2-羟丙基三甲基氯化铵,St-CTA)为混凝剂,分别与实验室自制的聚硅酸(PSA)及聚硅酸钛锌(PSTZ)进行复合强化混凝,应用于处理微污染水体.首先以高岭土-腐殖酸(HA)混合液为模拟水样,基于表观混凝性能、絮体特征及混凝后上清液ζ电位等,详细考察了强化混凝工艺的净水效果及混凝机制.结果表明,St-CTA分别复合两种不同硅酸盐的强化混凝工艺均对模拟水样具有良好的净水效果;St-CTA与PSTZ复合优于其与PSA组合工艺的混凝性能,且St-CTA/PSTZ复合工艺能缓解St-CTA过量引起的再稳定效应,具有较宽的有效混凝范围.St-CTA通过电中和作用与污染物结合,可有效压缩表面双电层;而带正电性的PSTZ,相比于负电性的 PSA,不仅具有粘结架桥强化效应,还具有电中和作用,且与HA可形成Zn-HA复合物,实现高效净水效果.除模拟水样外,还考察了两种强化混凝工艺对实际微污染地表水的混凝效果,其均表现出良好的混凝性能,有效弥补单一混凝剂对有机微污染水体混凝效率较低的不足,进一步证实了该强化混凝工艺的有效性.此外,与处理模拟水样效果一致,St-CTA复合PSTZ的净化效果更佳,但PSA具有更低的应用成本.本研究提供了一种绿色环保的强化混凝工艺,可有效净化微污染水体,具有良好的应用前景.     

Reaction of arsenic vapor species with fly ash compounds: kinetics and speciation of the reaction with calcium silicates

In coal combustion systems, the partitioning of arsenic between the vapor and solid phases is determined by the interaction of arsenic vapors with fly ash compounds under post-combustion conditions. This partitioning is affected by gas–solid reactions between the calcium components of the ash particles and arsenic vapors. In this study, bench scale experiments were conducted with calcium compounds typical of coal-derived fly ash to determine product formation, the extent of reaction and reaction rates when contacted by arsenic oxide vapors. Experiments conducted with arsenic trioxide (As₄O_6(g)) vapors in contact with calcium oxide, di-calcium silicate and mono-calcium silicate over the temperature range 600–1000 °C indicated that these solids were capable of reacting with arsenic vapor species in both air and nitrogen. Calcium arsenate was the observed reaction product in all the samples analyzed. Maximum capture of arsenic occurred at 1000 °C with calcium oxide being the most effective of the three solids over the range of temperatures studied. Using a shrinking core model for a first order reaction and the results from intrinsic kinetic experiments conducted in air, the reaction rate constants were found to be 1.4×10⁻³exp(−2776/T) m/s for calcium oxide particles, 7.2×10⁻³exp(−3367/T) m/s for di-calcium silicate particles and 5.5×10⁻³exp(−3607/T) m/s for mono-calcium silicate particles. These results therefore suggest that any calcium present in fly ash can react with arsenic vapor and capture the metal in water-insoluble forms of the less hazardous As(V) oxidation state.