Evaluation of quicklime incorporation in bench-scale and full-scale lime stabilized biosolids using a flat surface pH electrode

Uniform lime incorporation into sewage sludge is critical for biosolid lime stabilization processes. There is no class B biosolids regulation for lime incorporation. The slurry method is currently used to evaluate the pH of limed biosolids, but this method homogenizes the biosolids and potentially masks poor lime mixing. In this study, a flat-surface pH electrode was used in bench-scale and full-scale experiments to measure the pH of lime-stabilized biosolids without creating slurries. The standard deviation of 15 pH measurements at different locations in a biosolid sample was used to assess mixing quality. The bench-scale experimental study showed that well-mixed limed biosolids had consistently high pHs (approximately 12) with low standard deviations (< 0.5 pH units), whereas poorly mixed biosolids had areas with low pH (< 10) and high standard deviations (> 2 pH units). Poorly mixed biosolids exhibited rapid and marked pH reduction, as well as offensive odor generation, whereas well-mixed biosolids resisted pH reduction and offensive odor generation. The full-scale study aimed at improving lime incorporation and biosolids quality confirmed the use of a flat surface pH electrode to capture low pH regions in biosolids that were masked by the current slurry method.     

Characterization of odor released during handling of swine slurry: Part II. Effect of production type,storage and physicochemical characteristics of the slurry

The quality of rural life can be affected by offensive odors released from animal buildings and storage units. The objectives of this study were to compare the concentrations of odor and odorants above different types of stirred swine slurry to analyze the relationships between concentrations of odor (and odorants) and physicochemical characteristics of the slurry (i.e. pH, temperature, dry matter, volatile solids, and concentration of 22 chemical compounds); and to propose predictive models for the odor concentration (OC) based on these physicochemical characteristics (solely and in combination with concentrations of specific odorants in the air above the slurries). The study comprised data on concentrations of odor and odorants in the air above slurry samples (fresh and/or stored) collected from production units with farrowing sows, finishing swines, or weaning pigs at eight swine operations (N = 48). OC measured in the air above stirred swine slurry samples were not significantly different among production types or storage times. The physicochemical characteristics of the slurries were not useful for predicting OC or concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (or organic sulfides) above the slurry, but were related to concentrations of other emitted gases such as phenols and indoles (r² = 0.65–0.79, p <0.05), ammonia (r² = 0.86, p < 0.05) and carboxylic acids (r² = 0.23–0.59, p <0.05). There was good precision of predictive models of OC based on selected slurry characteristics (i.e. pH, dry matter, nitrogen content, sulfur content or concentrations of individual aromatic compounds and carboxylic acids) together with concentrations of specific odorants in the air (e.g. hydrogen sulfide) (r² between 0.70 and 0.92). This study suggests that predictive models could be useful for evaluating odor nuisance potentials of swine slurry during handling.     

17 β-estradiol and 17 α-ethinylestradiol mineralization in sewage sludge and biosolids

Natural steroid estrogens (e.g., 17 β-estradiol, E2), synthetic steroid estrogens (e.g., 17 α-ethinylestradiol, EE2) and pharmaceutical antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin) are chemicals detected in biosolids and sewage sludges because they partition into the solids fraction during the wastewater treatment process. This research utilized a three-way factorial design (six media × two estrogens × three antibiotic treatments) to quantify cumulative E2 and EE2 mineralization over 133 d (MAX) in a range of sewage sludge and biosolid samples in the presence (4 and 40 mg kg^?1) and absence of ciprofloxacin. The same three-way factorial design was utilized to quantify the impact of the six media, E2 or EE2, and ciprofloxacin on cumulative soil respiration over 133 d (RESP). Minimal ciprofloxacin mineralization was observed (<0.05% over 133 d), but despite its persistence, ciprofloxacin had no significant effect on MAX of E2 or EE2, and, in general, no significant effect on RESP. MAX ranged from 38.38% to 48.44% for E2 but from only 0.72% to 24.27% for EE2 although RESP was relatively similar, ranging from 101.00 to 866.54 mg CO₂ in the presence of E2 and from 69.55 to 893.95 mg CO₂ in the presence of EE2. The sorption-limited bioavailability of EE2, which is inherently resistant to biodegradation due to chemical structure, as MAX and Freundlich sorption coefficients (K_f) were negatively correlated. As such, the K_f values of EE2 were largest in composted biosolids in which EE2 was particularly resistant to microbial degradation as the MAX of EE2 was <3%. In contrast, the MAX of E2 showed a positive association with the K_f values of E2 because some steps in the E2 transformation process have been found to occur in the sorbed phase. The MAX of E2 was significantly greater in the biosolid and composted biosolid media than in any other media, whereas the MAX of E2 decreased in the following order: secondary sewage sludge > primary sewage sludge > biosolid = composted biosolid. This suggests that sewage sludges in municipal lagoons and pre-treatment holding lagoons are a more favorable media for mineralization of EE2, whereas biosolids in post-treatment storage lagoons are a more favorable media for the mineralization of E2. The presence of ciprofloxacin will have no impact on the potential E2 or EE2 mineralization rates in these cases.     

Mitigation of low stream pH and its effects on salmonids

Crushed limestone (200 tonnes) was spread in bars on the bed of an acidic brook (mean pH 5.0) in Nova Scotia, Canada. A seasonally variable but significant increase in pH of running water resulted, and a longitudinal pH gradient over the limed section extended to the mouth of the brook. The effectiveness persisted after 3 years, during which pH downstream of the limestone increased an average of 0.4 pH units (range < 0.1-1.3 pH units) along with significantly increased Ca, Mg and acid neutralizing capacity. Total and exchangeable Al were not altered by the limestone and non-exchangeable forms dominated. The interstitial water was nearly neutral (mean pH 7.1) in limestone beds but it was acidic (mean pH 5.4) in gravel beds of the control section upstream. Spawning Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) dug three times more redds in gravel of the limed section than in the control. Salmon fry survived and they were significantly more abundant in the limed section than in the control. The density of juvenile salmon increased over time, indicating a recovery of the population. The density of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) also increased and trout fry were usually more abundant in the limed section than in the control. The observed benefits for salmonids suggest that small-scale application of limestone to stream beds and spawning sites can be used to mitigate the effects of low stream pH.     

Napropamide Residues in Runoff and Infiltration Water from Pepper Production

Abstract

A field study was conducted on a Lowell silty loam soil of 2.7% organic matter at the Kentucky State University Research Farm, Franklin County, Kentucky. Eighteen universal soil loss equation (USLE) standard plots (22 × 3.7 m each) were established on a 10% slope. Three soil management practices were used: (i) class-A biosolids (sewage sludge), (ii) yard waste compost, each mixed with native soil at a rate of 50 ton acre^?1 on a dry-weight basis, and (iii) a no-mulch (NM) treatment (rototilled bare soil), used for comparison purposes. Devrinol 50-DF “napropamide” [N,N-diethyl-2-(1-naphthyloxy) propionamide]was applied as a preemergent herbicide, incorporated into the soil surface, and the plots were planted with 60-day-old sweet bell pepper seedlings. Napropamide residues one hour following spraying averaged 0.8, 0.4, and 0.3 μ g g^{? 1} dry soil in sewage sludge, yard waste compost, and no-mulch treatments, respectively. Surface runoff water, runoff sediment, and napropamide residues in runoff were significantly reduced by the compost and biosolid treatments. Yard waste compost treatments increased water infiltration and napropamide residues in the vadose zone compared to sewage sludge and NM treatments. Total pepper yields from yard waste compost amended soils (9187 lbs acre^?1) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than yield from either the soil amended with class-A biosolids (6984 lbs acre^?1) or the no-mulch soil (7162 lbs acre ^?1).     

Uptake of heavy metals and As by Brassica juncea grown in a contaminated soil in Aznalcóllar (Spain): the effect of soil amendments

Two crops of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. were grown in a field experiment, at the site affected by the toxic spillage of acidic, metal-rich waste in Aznalcóllar (Seville, Spain), to study its metal accumulation and the feasibility of its use for metal phytoextraction. The effects of organic soil amendments (cow manure and mature compost) and lime on biomass production and plant survival were also assessed; plots without organic amendment and without lime were used as controls. Plots, with or without organic amendment, having pH < 5 were limed for the second crop. Soil acidification conditioned plant growth and metal accumulation. The addition of lime and the organic amendments achieved higher plant biomass production, although effects concerning metal bioavailability and accumulation were masked somewhat by pH variability with time and between and within plots. Tissue metal concentrations of B. juncea were elevated for Zn, Cu and Pb, especially in leaves of plants from plots with low pH values (maxima of 2029, 71 and 55 microg g(-1), respectively). The total uptake of heavy metals in the plants was relatively low, emphasising the problems faced when attempting to employ phytoextraction for clean-up of pluri-contaminated sites.     

Copper availability and bioavailability are controlled by rhizosphere pH in rape grown in an acidic Cu-contaminated soil

We evaluated how root-induced changes in rhizosphere pH varied and interacted with Cu availability and bioavailability in an acidic soil. Rape was grown on a Cu-contaminated acidic soil, which had been limed at 10 rates. Soil Cu bioavailability was not influenced by liming. However, liming significantly decreased CaCl₂-extracted Cu for pH between 3.7 and 5.1. Little effect was found for pH above 5.1. For soil pH < 4.4, CaCl₂-Cu contents were smaller in rhizosphere than uncropped soil. Rhizosphere alkalisation occurred at pH < 4.8, while acidification occurred at greater pH. This explained the changes of CaCl₂-Cu in the rhizosphere at low pH and the absence of pH dependency of Cu bioavailability to rape. In addition, apoplastic Cu in roots increased with increasing soil pH, most probably as a result of increased dissociation and affinity of cell wall compounds for Cu.     

Neutralization/prevention of acid rock drainage using mixtures of alkaline by-products and sulfidic mine wastes

Backfilling of open pit with sulfidic waste rock followed by inundation is a common method for reducing sulfide oxidation after mine closure. This approach can be complemented by mixing the waste rock with alkaline materials from pulp and steel mills to increase the system’s neutralization potential. Leachates from 1 m³ tanks containing sulfide-rich (ca.30 wt %) waste rock formed under dry and water saturated conditions under laboratory conditions were characterized and compared to those formed from mixtures. The waste rock leachate produced an acidic leachate (pH?<?2) with high concentrations of As (65 mg/L), Cu (6 mg/L), and Zn (150 mg/L) after 258 days. The leachate from water-saturated waste rock had lower concentrations of As and Cu (<2 μg/L), Pb and Zn (20 μg/L and 5 mg/L), respectively, and its pH was around 6. Crushed (<6 mm) waste rock mixed with different fractions (1–5 wt %) of green liquid dregs, fly ash, mesa lime, and argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) slag was leached on a small scale for 65 day, and showed near-neutral pH values, except for mixtures of waste rock with AOD slag and fly ash (5 % w/w) which were more basic (pH?>?9). The decrease of elemental concentration in the leachate was most pronounced for Pb and Zn, while Al and S were relatively high. Overall, the results obtained were promising and suggest that alkaline by-products could be useful additives for minimizing ARD formation.     

Disinfection and dewatering of wastewater solids by interstitial vapor generation.

Disinfection of wastewater solids (waste activated solids [WAS]) by interstitial vapor generation was investigated. In addition to the magnitude of disinfection, the amount of water removed and cost relative to traditional residuals disinfection processes was also examined. The process of interstitial vapor generation occurs as a result of the rapid heating of liquid in the interstices of the solid-liquid array. Intense heating causes boiling of the slurry liquid, resulting in an expanding vapor front that simultaneously dewaters the wastewater solids and contributes to the destruction of viable pathogenic microorganisms. Objectives of the study were threefold: (1) to validate disinfection of WAS using the interstitial vapor technique; (2) establish the degree of possible drying of the residuals using the techniques; and (3) establish the key operating variables for the process. Results showed a significant reduction in the most probable number of total coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Specifically, greater than four-log unit reductions were produced for both total coliform and E. coli bacteria. In addition to quantifying the reduction in bacteria, the percent solids were increased from an initial amount of 7.6% (mass basis) to a final solids content greater than 90% using optimal processing conditions. Cost comparisons were also conducted and shown to be quite favorable when compared with traditional disinfection methods such as lime addition. Because of the high level of E. coli reduction achieved, the process of interstitial vapor generation is shown to be capable of converting a class B biosolids into a class A pathogen reduced product. For example, an initial most probable number (MPN) of 1.2 x 10(6) E. coli bacteria were reduced to 19 at the extreme conditions of the process, well below the requirement of an MPN of 1000 for fecal coliform bacteria. Given its ability to disinfect and dewater wastewater solids, the interstitial vapor generation process was found to be a robust and beneficial technique to produce an environmental and publicly acceptable recyclable biosolids resource.     

Napropamide residues in runoff and infiltration water from pepper production

A field study was conducted on a Lowell silty loam soil of 2.7% organic matter at the Kentucky State University Research Farm, Franklin County, Kentucky. Eighteen universal soil loss equation (USLE) standard plots (22 x 3.7 m each) were established on a 10% slope. Three soil management practices were used: (i) class-A biosolids (sewage sludge), (ii) yard waste compost, each mixed with native soil at a rate of 50 ton acre(-1) on a dry-weight basis, and (iii) a no-mulch (NM) treatment (rototilled bare soil), used for comparison purposes. Devrinol 50-DF "napropamide" [N,N-diethyl-2-(1-naphthyloxy) propionamide] was applied as a preemergent herbicide, incorporated into the soil surface, and the plots were planted with 60-day-old sweet bell pepper seedlings. Napropamide residues one hour following spraying averaged 0.8, 0.4, and 0.3 microg g(-1) dry soil in sewage sludge, yard waste compost, and no-mulch treatments, respectively. Surface runoff water, runoff sediment, and napropamide residues in runoff were significantly reduced by the compost and biosolid treatments. Yard waste compost treatments increased water infiltration and napropamide residues in the vadose zone compared to sewage sludge and NM treatments. Total pepper yields from yard waste compost amended soils (9187 lbs acre(-1)) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than yield from either the soil amended with class-A biosolids (6984 lbs acre(-1)) or the no-mulch soil (7162 lbs acre(-1)).     

Fractionation and mobility of phosphorus in a sandy forest soil amended with biosolids

Goal, Scope and Background Biosolids, i.e., treated sewage sludge, are commonly used as a fertilizer and amendment to improve soil productivity. Application of biosolids to meet the nitrogen (N) requirements of crops can lead to accumulation of phosphorus (P) in soils, which may result in P loss to water bodies. Since 1996, biosolids have been applied to a Pinus radiata D. Don plantation near Nelson City, New Zealand, in an N-deficient sandy soil. To investigate sustainability of the biosolids application programme, a long-term research trial was established in 1997, and biosolids were applied every three years, at three application rates, including control (no biosolids), standard and high treatments, based on total N loading. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of repeated application of biosolids on P mobility in the sandy soil. Materials and Methods Soil samples were collected in August 2004 from the trial site at depths of 0–10, 10–25, 25–50, 50–75, and 75–100 cm. The soil samples were analysed for total P (TP), plant-available P (Olsen P and Mehlich 3 P), and various P fractions (water-soluble, bioavailable, Fe and Al-bound, Ca-bound, and residual) using a sequential P fractionation procedure. Results and Discussion Soil TP and Olsen P in the high biosolids treatment (equivalent to 600 kg N ha⁻¹ applied every three years) had increased significantly (P<0.05) in both 0–10 cm and 10–25 cm layers. Mehlich 3 P in soil of the high treatment had increased significantly only at 0–10 cm. Olsen P appeared to be more sensitive than Mehlich 3 P as an indicator of P movement in a soil profile. Phosphorus fractionation revealed that inorganic P (Al/Fe-bound P and Ca-bound P) and residual P were the main P pools in soil, whereas water-soluble P accounted for approximately 70% of TP in biosolids. Little organic P was found in either the soil or biosolids. Concentrations of water-soluble P, bioavailable inorganic P (NaHCO₃ Pi) and potentially bioavailable inorganic P (NaOH Pi) in both 0–10 and 10–25 cm depths were significantly higher in the high biosolids treatment than in the control. Mass balance calculation indicated that most P applied with biosolids was retained by the top soil (0–25 cm). The standard biosolids treatment (equivalent to 300 kg N ha⁻¹ applied every three years) had no significant effect on concentrations of TP, Mehlich 3 P and Olsen P, and P fractions in soil. Conclusions The results indicate that the soil had the capacity to retain most biosolids-derived P, and there was a minimal risk of P losses via leaching in the medium term in the sandy forest soil because of the repeated biosolids application, particularly at the standard rate. Recommendations and Perspectives Application to low-fertility forest land can be used as an environmentally friendly option for biosolids management. When biosolids are applied at a rate to meet the N requirement of the tree crop, it can take a very long time before the forest soil is saturated with P. However, when a biosolids product contains high concentrations of P and is applied at a high rate, the forest ecosystem may not have the capacity to retain all P applied with biosolids in the long term. ESS-Submission Editor: Dr. Jean-Paul Schwitzguébel jean-paul.schwitzguebel@epfl.ch     

Selected chloro and bromo derivatives of triclosan—syntheses and their occurrence in Canadian sewage and biosolid samples

The occurrence of triclosan (TCS), a general purpose antibacterial agent contained in numerous consumer and personal-care products, in the aquatic environment is well known. To a lesser degree, the formation of chlorinated and brominated derivatives of TCS during the chlorination of the antibacterial has also been reported. Presumably due to the lack of authentic standards, very few reports have been published on the levels of these halogenated TCSs in the environment. For this purpose, we have synthesized six selected halogenated derivatives of TCS, namely, 3-Cl-, 5-Cl-, 3,5-Cl₂-, 3-Br-, 5-Br-, and 3,5-Br₂- TCSs, with supporting ¹H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and GC–MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) data for their structural assignments. Using these model compounds together with sensitive analytical methods, we were able to identify and quantify the above compounds together with their precursor compound TCS in Canadian municipal wastewater and biosolid samples for the first time. While detected in all influent (range from 1.4 to 24.1 ng L^?1) and biosolid (range from 7.7 to 274 ng g^?1) samples, the concentrations of these chlorinated TCS were generally from 100- to 1,000-fold lower than TCS in the same sample. Even lower levels (<20 ng/g in 85 % of the results) of brominated TCS were found in biosolids, and they were mostly undetected in sewage.     

Assessing the chemical and biological accessibility of the herbicide isoproturon in soil amended with biochar

Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a cyclic volatile methyl siloxane (cVMS) commonly found in commercially available products. D5 is expected to enter the terrestrial environment through the deposit of biosolids from sewage treatment plants onto agricultural fields for nutrient enrichment. Little to no information currently exists as to the risks of D5 to the terrestrial environment. In order to evaluate the potential risk to terrestrial organisms, the toxicity of a D5 contaminated biosolid in an agricultural soil was assessed with a battery of standardized soil toxicity tests.D5 was spiked into a surrogate biosolid and then mixed with a sandy loam soil to create test concentrations ranging from 0 to 4074 mg kg⁻¹. Plant (Hordeum vulgare (barley) and Trifolium pratense (red clover)) and soil invertebrates (Eisenia andrei (earthworm) and Folsomia candida (springtail)) toxicity tests were completed to assess for lethal and sub-lethal effects. Plant testing evaluated the effects on seedling emergence, shoot and root length, and shoot and root dry mass. Invertebrate test endpoints included adult lethality, juvenile production, and individual juvenile dry mass (earthworms only). Soil samples were collected over time to confirm test concentrations and evaluate the loss of chemical over the duration of a test. The toxicity of the D5 was species and endpoint dependent, such that no significant adverse effects were observed for T. pratense or E. andrei test endpoints, however, toxicity was observed for H. vulgare plant growth and F. candida survival and reproduction. Chemical losses of up to 50% were observed throughout the tests, most significantly at high concentrations.     

低浓度含砷污酸处理工艺的比较研究

比较研究了石灰中和法和石灰-铁盐法对硫化后含低浓度砷(20～50 mg/L)污酸的处理效果。结果表明,单纯采用石灰法,废水难以达标排放;而两段石灰-铁盐(氯化铁)法满足达标排放的同时,一段及二段沉淀物的浸出液中砷、镉、铜、铅和锌含量均低于危险废物鉴别标准要求(GB 5085.3-2007);其最优工艺参数为一段终了pH=2,反应时间为2 h,二段终了pH=8、Fe/As=8、反应时间为60 min、氧化剂投加量(Ca(ClO)2/As)为6∶1;正交实验结果中各参数对铁盐除砷效果影响顺序为终了pH>反应时间>Fe/As>氧化剂投加量。     

Behavior of bromide in the photoelectrocatalytic process and bromine generation using nanoporous titanium dioxide thin-film electrodes

In this study, the photoelectrocatalytic behavior of bromide and generation of bromine using TiO2 was investigated in the separate anode and cathode reaction chambers. Our results show that the generation of bromine begins around a flatband potential of -0.34 V vs. standard calomel electrode (SCE) at pH 3.0 under UV illumination and increases with an increase in positive potential, finally reaching a steady-state concentration at 1.0 V vs. SCE. Maximum bromine formation occurs over the range of pH 4-6, decreasing sharply at conditions where the pH>7.     

Prevention of sulfide oxidation in waste rock by the addition of lime kiln dust

During the operation of a mine, waste rock is often deposited in heaps and usually left under ambient conditions allowing sulfides to oxidize. To focus on waste rock management for preventing acid rock drainage (ARD) formation rather than ARD treatment could avoid its generation and reduce lime consumption, costs, and sludge treatment. Leachates from 10 L laboratory test cells containing sulfide-rich (>?60% pyrite) waste rock with and without the addition of lime kiln dust (LKD) (5 wt.%) were compared to each other to evaluate the LKD’s ability to maintain near neutral pH and reduce the sulfide oxidation. Leaching of solely waste rock generated an acidic leachate (pH?<?1.3) with high concentrations of As (21 mg/L), Cu (20 mg/L), Fe (18 g/L), Mn (45 mg/L), Pb (856 μg/L), Sb (967 μg/L), S (17 g/L), and Zn (23 mg/L). Conversely, the addition of 5 wt.% LKD generated and maintained a near neutral pH along with decreasing of metal and metalloid concentrations by more than 99.9%. Decreased concentrations were most pronounced for As, Cu, Pb, and Zn while S was relatively high (100 mg/L) but decreasing throughout the time of leaching. The results from sequential extraction combined with element release, geochemical calculations, and Raman analysis suggest that S concentrations decreased due to decreasing sulfide oxidation rate, which led to gypsum dissolution. The result from this study shows that a limited amount of LKD, corresponding to 4% of the net neutralizing potential of the waste rock, can prevent the acceleration of sulfide oxidation and subsequent release of sulfate, metals, and metalloids but the quantity and long-term stability of secondary minerals formed needs to be evaluated and understood before this method can be applied at a larger scale.

     

Response of selected poultry cecal probiotic bacteria and a primary poultry salmonella typhimurium isolate grown with or without glucose in liquid batch culture

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether fermentation by a cecal probiotic co‐culture of an Enterococcus sp. and Veillonella sp. would inhibit the in vitro growth of a S typhimurium poultry isolate. The growth rates of S. typhimurium and Enterococcus were significantly reduced at pH 5. At the two pH levels, there was a significant (p < 0.001) increase at 24 h in colony forming units for each of the bacteria enumerated from the mixed culture compared to the respective pure culture enumerations. S. typhimurium was not inhibited in mixed cultures. The mixed cultures produced more acetate than any of the pure cultures and lactate produced by Enterococcus appeared to be utilized by Veillonella.     

Assessing Sorbents for Mercury Control in Coal-Combustion Flue Gas

Abstract

Sorbent injection for Hg control is one of the most promising technologies for reducing Hg emissions from power-generation facilities, particularly units that do not require wet scrubbers for SO₂ control. Since 1992, EPRI has been assessing the performance of Hg sorbents in pilot-scale systems installed at full-scale facilities. The initial tests were conducted on a 5000-acfm (142-m³/min) pilot baghouse. Screening potential sorbents at this scale required substantial resources for installation and operation and did not provide an opportunity to characterize sor-bents over a wide temperature range.

Data collected in the laboratory and in field tests indicate that sorbents are affected by flue gas composition and temperature. Tests carried out in actual flue gas at a number of power plants also have shown that sorbent performance can be site-specific. In addition, data collected at a field site often are different from data collected in the laboratory, with simulated flue gas mixed to match the major components in the site’s gas. To effectively estimate the costs of Hg sorbent systems at different plants, a measure of sorbent performance in the respective flue gases must be obtained. However, injection testing at multiple facilities with large pilot systems is not practical.

Over the past five years, fixed-bed characterization testing, modeling studies, and bench-scale injection testing have been undertaken to develop a low-cost technique to characterize sorbent performance in actual flue gas and subsequently to project normalized costs for Hg removal prior to full-scale demonstration. This article describes the techniques used and summarizes field-testing results from two plants burning Powder River Basin (PRB) coal for commercial activated carbon and several other sorbent types. Full-scale projections based on the results and data collected on larger-scale systems also are included.     

厌氧系统中碱处理对污泥减量的影响

碱解预处理污泥和原污泥按一定比例进行混合后,投入厌氧反应器中进行消化,研究其对污泥减量化的影响。结果表明,该处理既可以提高污泥减量率,又能改善污泥厌氧消化性能,提高污泥产气量。当碱处理污泥和原污泥混合比为1∶3时,在混合初期由于稀释作用和水解中和作用,溶液的pH能迅速恢复到中性。SS减少48%,较对照组提高了10%;SCOD减少约80%,较对照组提高20%,而空白对照组因未发生溶胞作用,各参数值均处于较低水平,降解率也维持在较低水平。     

PCDD/PCDF reduction by the co-combustion process

A novel process, termed the co-combustion process, has been developed and designed to utilise the thermal treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW) in cement clinker production and reduce PCDD/PCDF emissions. To test the conceptual design; detailed engineering design of the process and equipment was performed and a pilot plant was constructed to treat up to 40 tonnes MSW per day. The novel process features included several units external to the main traditional cement rotary kiln: an external calcinations unit in which the hot gas calcined the limestone thus making significant energy savings for this chemical reaction; the lime generated was used in a second chamber to act as a giant acid gas scrubber to remove SOx and particularly HCl (a source of chloride); an external rotary kiln and secondary combustion unit capable of producing a hot gas at 1200 degrees C; a gas cooler to simulate a boiler turbogenerator set for electricity generation; the incorporation of some of the bottom ash, calcined lime and dust collector solids into the cement clinker. A PCDD/PCDF inventory has been completed for the entire process and measured PCDD/PCDF emissions were 0.001 ng I-TEQ/Nm(3) on average which is 1% of the best practical means [Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, 2001. A guidance note on the best practicable means for incinerators (municipal waste incineration), BPM12/1] MSW incineration emission limit values.