Analysis of policy options for promotion of clean and energy efficient technologies in the transport sector in Beijing

As a extra-large city in China, Beijing faces a serious problem with air pollution. In 1998, a package of air pollution control measures was announced by local government. However in order to reach environment target, further policy options have to be explored. Based on previous studies on technology choices for urban transport in Beijing, this paper presents a policy assessment to examine these options. A methodology framework using criteria for policy evaluation was used in the assessment. Here diesel-car, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle and Mass Railway based Transport (MRT) were selected, and barriers to their diffusion were identified. For each barrier, a group of policy options to remove the barrier was evaluated by five criteria. A ranking of these policy options is given in this paper.     

Analyses of technical options for mitigating CO2 emissions from an urban transport system: a case study of Beijing City

This paper aims to extrapolate the energy consumption and environmental emissions data on the urban passenger transport system in Beijing, to assess the cost-effectiveness and emission reduction potential of promising technology options for transport systems, and to identify options with both reduction potential and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, it identifies major barriers to the adoption of such options in Beijing. The long-range Energy Alternatives Planning model, the least-cost approach and the Analytical Hierarchy model are used for these three purposes, respectively. The results show that the fuel demand in the Beijing urban passenger transport system will increase rapidly in the future, along with travel demand and vehicle stock. For CO₂ mitigation targets, diesel vehicles have both emission reduction potential and cost-effectiveness, followed by mass rapid transport systems. The ranking of barriers is similar for all three technology options, and found to be financial incentive, public awareness, lack of infrastructure, high initial cost and institutional/administrative barriers, in descending order of importance. Lack of financial incentive plays a very important role in the adoption of new technology options.     

Environmental and resource constraints on Asian urban travel

In industrialising countries, personal income has been the main constraint on widespread car ownership. However, incomes are rising rapidly in many Asian cities, so that traffic congestion and air pollution are replacing income as barriers to higher car ownership. Global oil depletion and climate change are potential additional constraints. The main finding of this paper is that private car travel is unlikely to ever be the dominant mode in Asia's large cities. Instead, a combination of public transport and non-motorised travel seems the only feasible means of sustainably meeting the growing transport needs of congested Asian cities.     

DBP,DOP清洁生产工艺及实施效果

针对增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二丁酯,邻苯二甲二辛酯的生产及废水治理现状,对生产过程的清洁生产审计及是提出清洁生产方案,并进行了实施,实施效果显著,污染物总量减少了８５％产品生产所需原材料有所下降,不仅具有环保效益,同时也有一定的经济效益。     

Water Content of Collected Aerosols in the South Coast and Southeast Desert Air Basins

Pollution prevention/waste minimization is a win-win-win situation for government, industry, and the public, which offers more than just protection of the environment for all. Industry gains from reduced capital and operating costs, reduced liabilities, cleaner and safer working conditions, conservation of energy and material resources, and the opportunity for government and industry to work together in a cooperative manner. However, a number of regulatory barriers exist which discourage pollution prevention/waste minimization. This paper provides examples from the aluminum, chemical, petroleum, and wood treating industries of how these regulatory barriers become disincentives. To promote pollution prevention/waste minimization, Congress and the U.S. EPA need to reexamine those RCRA provisions which support a command and control strategy that creates the barriers. The barriers include the distinction between value and valueless materials, offsite storage requirements prior to reuse/recycle, the “Derived from Rule”, the “Burning for Fuel Rule”, land ban technology standards, and RD&;D restrictions. A new RCRA Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization subtitle is proposed to eliminate or minimize these barriers.     

Toxicity to freshwater organisms from oils and oil spill chemical treatments in laboratory microcosms

Toxicity and temporal changes in toxicity of freshwater-marsh-microcosms containing South Louisiana Crude (SLC) or diesel fuel and treated with a cleaner or dispersant, were investigated using Chironomus tentans, Daphnia pulex, and Oryzias latipes. Bioassays used microcosm water (for D. pulex and O. latipes) or soil slurry (for C. tentans) taken 1,7, 31, and 186 days after treatment. SLC was less toxic than diesel, chemical additives enhanced oil toxicity, the dispersant was more toxic than the cleaner, and toxicities were greatly reduced by day 186. Toxicities were higher in the bioassay with the benthic species than in those with the two water-column species. A separate experiment showed that C. tentans' sensitivity was intermediate to that of Tubifex tubifex and Hyallela azteca. Freshwater organisms, especially benthic invertebrates, thus appear seriously effected by oil under the worst-case-scenario of our microcosms. Moreover, the cleaner and dispersant tested were poor response options under those conditions.     

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part VI Waste Minimization in the Foundry Industry

The foundry industry is a major consumer of waste materials (scrap). Unfortunately, the recycling of these waste materials can result in the generation of hazardous wastes that must be properly managed at a significant cost. This article focuses on two waste streams in the foundry industry; calcium carbide desulfurization slag and melt emission control residuals. The author presents an overview of how foundries have evaluated different waste management options with the ultimate goal of minimizing the generation of hazardous waste.     

Controlling air pollution from passenger ferries: cost-effectiveness of seven technological options

Continued interest in improving air quality in the United States along with renewed interest in the expansion of urban passenger ferry service has created concern about air pollution from ferry vessels. This paper presents a methodology for estimating the air pollution emissions from passenger ferries and the costs of emissions control strategies. The methodology is used to estimate the emissions and costs of retrofitting or re-powering ferries with seven technological options (combinations of propulsion and emission control systems) onto three vessels currently in service in San Francisco Bay. The technologies include improved engine design, cleaner fuels (including natural gas), and exhaust gas cleanup devices. The three vessels span a range of ages and technologies, from a 25-year-old monohull to a modern, high-speed catamaran built only four years ago. By looking at a range of technologies, vessel designs, and service conditions, a sense of the broader implications of controlling emissions from passenger ferries across a range of vessels and service profiles is provided. Tier 2-certified engines are the most cost-effective choice, but all options are cost-effective relative to other emission control strategies already in place in the transportation system.     

广州市城市生活垃圾管理系统规划

运用最小费用规划模型,选取运输费用以及各处理设施（包括垃圾焚烧、制肥、回收利用、 填埋和中转处理）的处理费用为因子,同时把经济收入作为负的费用从中扣除,对选取的三个规划方案进行了计算,得出了广州市市区城市生活垃圾管理系统处理的最低费用,并给出了市属8个区的垃圾量相应的处理设置。     

Experiences in Controlling Atmospheric Pollution Encountered in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Processes

Smog aerosol can be related to sources, atmospheric transport, and particle growth through a Lagrangian model. Sample calculations indicate that the midday Pasadena aerosol is dominated by material produced in the atmosphere, and that the afternoon drop in aerosol mass is due to the advection of cleaner air. Numerical experiments suggest that control of primary particulate emissions without corresponding control of reactive gases would not substantially improve visibility.     

Cost-benefit analysis in the selection of efficient multipollutant strategies

Pollution control efforts are motivated by the desire to protect human health and the environment. Often, those efforts involve selecting among multiple options for attaining air quality objectives. For example, state and local decision-makers must choose the mix of control strategies for meeting the requirements of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Regional Haze Rule. We demonstrate that including assessments of the human health and environmental benefits when evaluating alternative strategies may help decision-makers to identify multipollutant attainment strategies that achieve greater net benefits than would accrue under strategies optimized for cost alone. This paper presents a conceptual framework that decision-makers could use to choose among alternative multipollutant control strategies, accounting for the benefits and the costs of different types and locations of emissions reductions.     

改良型湿法制备活性白土清洁生产及末端治理实验研究

传统湿法制备活性白土工艺中存在水耗、酸耗大等清洁水平较低的问题,本研究提出了在生产工艺流程中循环使用硫酸酸性废液、并从循环3次的硫酸废液中回收铝盐制备无铁硫酸铝的一种改良型湿法制备活性白土工艺,对末端治理采用电石渣替代石灰作为中和剂进行了探索性实验研究。实验结果表明,改良型湿法制备活性白土工艺对活性白土产品的理化性质无明显影响,产品质量符合行业标准,且酸的利用率从20%提高到约90%,水耗减少量为原工艺的1/3,无铁硫酸铝主要参数符合相关产品技术标准(HG/T2225-2001)。用电石渣作为中和剂处理酸性废液能够实现出水水质稳定达标,处理成本从255万元降低至210万元。本研究的实施使得活性白土的生产工艺清洁生产水平有较大提高。     

Estimating Costs of Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems for Utility Boilers

In September 1973, PEDCo-Environmental Specialists was awarded a study by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate the cost of controlling sulfur dioxide and particulate emissions from selected utility boilers. Since that time, PEDCo has conducted additional studies for the U. S. EPA, state and local control agencies, and private industry on the costs of control technology and the reliability of sulfur dioxide control systems. Current work includes determining the feasibility and environmental impact of converting selected utility boilers to coal-firing to conserve the nation’s gas and oil supplies. This paper presents an overview of the status and costs of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems, and the factors relating to the variability in costs. It is based in part upon work performed in developing detailed FGD cost estimating manuals for EPA.     

Initial efficiencies of air cleaners for the removal of nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds

The objective of this research was to measure the initial effective cleaning rates (ECRs) of selected air cleaners for removing nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and six representative volatile organic compounds (VOC) from air. Four portable air cleaners, representing different principles of particle removal and incorporating activated carbon, were investigated. Experiments were conducted in a closed room-size environmental chamber using analyte concentrations similar to those reported in residences. Effects of relative humidity, temperature, filter particle loading and saturation of the adsorbents on the ECRs were not investigated in this preliminary study. However, the effect of extended usage was investigated for one air cleaner.Two of the air cleaners were found to be reasonably effective initially in removing NO₂ and five of the six VOC. These two devices had relatively high flow rates and the greatest amounts of activated carbon. None of the devices removed dichloromethane, the VOC with the highest vapor pressure. One air cleaner emitted 1,1,1-trichloroethane and formaldehyde. After being used in a residence for 150 h, the ECRs for the air cleaner which had the highest initial values decreased to 50% or less of the initial ECRs. This use was only about 15% of the recommended filter lifetime. Conversion of NO₂ to NO was also observed for this device but only after it had been used in the residence.     

Southeastward transport of Asian dust: Source,transport and its contributions to Taiwan

Atmospheric Aluminum measured in northern Taiwan from 2003 to 2006 is used as a dust tracer, from which dust concentrations are derived, and major Asian dust events are determined. The source locations for the major dust events are traced back and identified, and the processes leading to the southeastward transport of Asian dust is investigated. The derived dust concentrations are compared to the local PM₁₀ (particle with size less than 10 μm) concentrations, and the impacts of Asian dust on the air quality of Taiwan are quantified.According to the backward trajectory and dust observation analyses, most of the southeastward transport of major Asian dust events originate from Mongolia and Inner Mongolia in northern China, and only one out of 16 events is generated from western China. Modeling studies and weather analyses of dust events suggest that the southeastward transport of Asian dust is usually generated behind a surface front and transported downwind behind the associated upper level trough. The associated upper level trough is usually deep, in which the northwesterly wind behind the trough favors the southeastward transport of dust to lower latitudes. Dust transported to Taipei generally occur during periods of large-scale subsidence.Asian dust contributes about 15 μg m^?3 of aerosol particles to northern Taiwan during winter monsoon, which accounts for about 24–30% of the PM₁₀ concentrations to the northern Taiwan. The contributions of Asian dust are raised pronouncedly to about 60–70% during major dust events. The impacts of Asian dust on Taiwan's air quality are most substantial in December. The Asian dust impacts decrease in other months, but still remain at around 30% in the late winter to early spring.     

Observed chemical characteristics of long-range transported particles at a marine background site in Korea

Deokjeok Island is located off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula and is a suitable place to monitor the long-range transport of air pollutants from the Asian continent. In addition to pollutants, Asian dust particles are also transported to the island during long-range transport events. Episodic transport of dust and secondary particles was observed during intensive measurements in the spring (March 31-April 11) and fall (October 13-26) of 2009. In this study, the chemical characteristics of long-range-transported particles were investigated based on highly time-resolved ionic measurements with a particle-into-liquid system coupled with an online ion chromatograph (PILS-IC) that simultaneously measures concentrations of cations (Li+, Na , NH4+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) and anions (F-, C1-, NO3-, SO42-). The aerosol optical thickness (AOT) distribution retrieved by the modified Bremen Aerosol Retrieval (M-BAER) algorithm from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data confirmed the presence of a thick aerosol plume coming from the Asian continent towards the Korean peninsula. Seven distinctive events involving the long-range transport (LRT) of aerosols were identified and studied, the chemical components of which were strongly related to sector sources. Enrichment of acidic secondary aerosols on mineral dust particles, and even of sea-salt components, during transport was observed in this study. Backward trajectory, chemical analyses, and satellite aerosol retrievals identified two distinct events: a distinctively high [Ca2++Mg2]/[Na+] ratio (>2.0), which was indicative of a preprocessed mineral dust transport event, and a low [Ca2++Mg2+]/[Na+] ratio (<2.0), which was indicative of severe aging of sea-salt components on the processed dust particles. Particulate C1- was depleted by up to 85% in spring and 50% in the fall. A consistent fraction of carbonate replacement (FCR) averaged 0.53 in spring and 0.55 in the fall. Supporting evidences of C1- enrichment on the marine boundary layer prior to a dust front were also found. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association for sector and air mass classifications of clean and LRT cases.     

采用零排放新工艺处理蚀刻废液

广州市某化工厂开发出一套对线路板蚀刻废液进行大规模集中资源化处理的零排放处理新工艺,该工艺通过在固相条件下生成氧化铜并用重力分选的方法将其分离出来,克服了原有工艺的缺陷,使废液中所有的成分能够在较低的处理成本下全部分离回收,无三废排出,达到了清洁生产的要求.对其工艺条件进行深入研究,通过正交试验优化了工艺条件.     

The parable of the carpenter

This paper describes how the Shanxi Environmental Protection Agency and SINTEF have acted on the recommendations of a joint study by UNEP and the National Environmental Protection Agency of PR China (NEPA) to implement the following cooperation programme: to establish the Shanxi Centre for Energy and Environment; to develop a masterplan against air pollution in Shanxi province; and to initiate pilot projects with cleaner technologies. The work has so far (1997) been funded by Norwegian Agency for Development Aid (NORAD). Further action will however require contribution from a number of other sources, such as the Global Environment Facility, private companies, investment banks and governments. The results from our work have shown that such efforts, in a region like Shanxi province, give environmental cost benefits far ahead of most other places in the world.     

The effects of roadside structures on the transport and dispersion of ultrafine particles from highways

Understanding local-scale transport and dispersion of pollutants emitted from traffic sources is important for urban planning and air quality assessments. Predicting pollutant concentration patterns in complex environments depends on accurate representations of local features (e.g., noise barriers, trees, buildings) affecting near-field air flows. This study examined the effects of roadside barriers on the flow patterns and dispersion of pollutants from a high-traffic highway in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. The effects of the structures were analyzed using the Quick Urban & Industrial Complex (QUIC) model, an empirically based diagnostic tool which simulates fine-scale wind field and dispersion patterns around obstacles. Model simulations were compared with the spatial distributions of ultrafine particles (UFP) from vehicular emissions measured using a passenger van equipped with a Differential Mobility Analyzer/Condensation Particle Counter. The field site allowed for an evaluation of pollutant concentrations in open terrain, with a noise barrier present near the road, and with a noise barrier and vegetation present near the road.Results indicated that air pollutant concentrations near the road were generally higher in open terrain situations with no barriers present; however, concentrations for this case decreased faster with distance than when roadside barriers were present. The presence of a noise barrier and vegetation resulted in the lowest downwind pollutant concentrations, indicating that the plume under this condition was relatively uniform and vertically well-mixed. Comparison of the QUIC model with the mobile UFP measurements indicated that QUIC reasonably represented pollutant transport and dispersion for each of the study configurations.     

Impacts of Asian dust storm associated with the stratosphere-to-troposphere transport in the spring of 2001 and 2002 on dust and tritium variations in Mount Wrangell ice core,Alaska

The relation of interannual connection between Asian dust outbreaks and stratosphere-to-troposphere transport (STT) in spring was suggested by the dust and tritium variations in the Mount Wrangell ice core, Alaska in [Yasunari, T.J., Shiraiwa, T., Kanamori, S., Fujii, Y., Igarashi, M., Yamazaki, K., Benson, C.S., Hondoh, T., 2007. Intra-annual variations in atmospheric dust and tritium in the North Pacific region detected from an ice core from Mount Wrangell, Alaska. J. Geophys. Res., 112, D10208. doi: 10.1029/2006JD008121]. However, these impacts on the ice core site in each event scale have not been investigated. Hence, the present paper focuses on the material transport and deposition processes for further understanding these impacts on the ice core. The variations in dust and tritium concentrations in spring in an ice core taken at Mt. Wrangell, Alaska are explained by meteorological analysis and simulation of trajectories associated with Asian dust outbreaks and STT. Material transport and deposition at Mt. Wrangell are examined in two contrasting years (2001 and 2002). Dust and tritium concentrations both reached peak values in the early spring of 2002, while the dust peak occurred in early spring and the tritium peak occurred in late spring in 2001. Six severe East Asian transpacific dust storms over this period are modeled by forward trajectory and meteorologically analyzed. It is found that 5 of 6 events contributed to the ice core record in Alaska. Stratospheric air is also transported to the ice core site in most cases. Tritium deposition is found to have been suppressed in the cases of the 2001 dust storms due to lack of snowfall at appropriate times. Taken the detailed transport and deposition processes after the severe dust storms with atmospheric circulations into account, we can well explain spring dust and tritium variations in the Mount Wrangell ice core.