Releases of anhydrous ammonia from pressurized containers — the importance of denser-than-air mixtures

The purpose of this paper is to examine the behaviour of ammonia vapour which has escaped to the atmosphere as a result of the accidental failure of a pressurized container. It is shown that the circumstances of the release are such that the formation of a cold ammonia air mixture, which is denser than the surrounding air, is likely. As a result, gravity driven phenomena must be taken into account; the cloud slumps and becomes very broad. It is shown that this slumping is insensitive to assumptions made about the rate of entrainment of the air and about the rate at which the mixture is heated by the ground. It is also demonstrated that, unless the windspeed is exceedingly low, the dispersing ammonia may not become buoyant; this is another phenomenon that is insensitive to parameter variations.A section of the paper is devoted to a critical examination of the uncertainties which must be overcome before a complete model of the escape of ammonia from a pressurized container can be written down. It is argued, however, that the characteristic features described above are not sensitive to these uncertainties. Finally, a simple model is used to describe the behaviour of a 20 Te “puff” of ammonia and the results are compared with accounts of accidental escapes of about that size. It is demonstrated that agreement with such facts as can be established is satisfactory.     

Formulation of a soil-pesticide transport model based on a compartmental approach

A semianalytical soil-pesticide transport model is formulated based on a compartmental approach to determine spatial and temporal variations of pesticide residues across a soil profile. The compartmental model is implemented by drawing an analogy between a series of continuous-flow stirred tank reactors and a soil horizon that consists of multiple perfectly mixed compartments. The analogy is strengthened by exploiting a relation between the compartment series and the conventional convective-dispersive equation (CDE) for vertical transport in the soil. Consequently, the number of compartments in the model formulation is not free, but dictated as a function of transport parameters. The model formulation allows consideration of arbitrary boundary value specifications and also, for some cases, spatially varying initial concentration profiles. Sorption kinetics is represented via a two-site model that involves a linear sorption isotherm and a first-order irreversible sorption or a radial diffusive penetrating model. For these three cases, analysis of the compartmental model allows the resultant concentration profiles to be expressed in terms of the Poisson distribution. When a nonlinear kinetic sorption model is used to simulate the sorption processes, an analytical solution is not found and a numerical approach is required.     

Colloid migration in symmetrical non-uniform fractures: particle tracking in three dimensions

A three-dimensional model for the migration of colloids in a saturated fracture is presented, which considers the motion of colloids as a result of advection and diffusion, as well as colloid-surface interactions at the fracture walls. This model is successfully incorporated into a three-dimensional particle tracking algorithm that tracks particles within a continuum and allows consideration of the migration of colloids in symmetrical, three-dimensional, non-uniform fractures. The framework is general enough to incorporate non-local interactions that provide colloid motion relative to the fluid. The algorithm is verified against classical Taylor dispersion, and its generalization to a sorbing phase, in a uniform fracture and shows excellent agreement with theory. A simple, non-uniform fracture that has an analytically tractable velocity field is also considered, and both quantitative and qualitative comparisons are made with the uniform fracture case. The modelling of more complex fracture geometries is also discussed and a particular case is implemented within the particle tracking framework.     

Eulerian derivation of the fractional advection-dispersion equation

A fractional advection-dispersion equation (ADE) is a generalization of the classical ADE in which the second-order derivative is replaced with a fractional-order derivative. In contrast to the classical ADE, the fractional ADE has solutions that resemble the highly skewed and heavy-tailed breakthrough curves observed in field and laboratory studies. These solutions, known as alpha-stable distributions, are the result of a generalized central limit theorem which describes the behavior of sums of finite or infinite-variance random variables. We use this limit theorem in a model which sums the length of particle jumps during their random walk through a heterogeneous porous medium. If the length of solute particle jumps is not constrained to a representative elementary volume (REV), dispersive flux is proportional to a fractional derivative. The nature of fractional derivatives is readily visualized and their parameters are based on physical properties that are measurable. When a fractional Fick's law replaces the classical Fick's law in an Eulerian evaluation of solute transport in a porous medium, the result is a fractional ADE. Fractional ADEs are ergodic equations since they occur when a generalized central limit theorem is employed.     

On the influence of the urban roughness sublayer on turbulence and dispersion

The concept of the urban roughness sublayer is discussed and this lowest atmospheric layer over a rough surface is shown to have a non-negligible vertical extension over typical urban surfaces. The existing knowledge on the turbulence and flow structure within an urban roughness sublayer is reviewed, focusing on the height dependence of turbulent fluxes and a scaling approach for turbulence statistics, such as velocity variances, in the above-roof part of the roughness sublayer. Finally, the implication of this turbulence and flow structure upon dispersion characteristics is investigated. The most prominent difference of explicitly taking into account the roughness sublayer in a dispersion simulation (as compared to assuming a `constant flux layer') is a clearly enhanced ground level concentration far downwind from the source. For the example of a tracer release experiment over a (sub) urban surface (Copenhagen) it is shown that introducing the roughness sublayer clearly improves the model performance.     

Economic insight into municipal solid waste management in Mumbai: a critical analysis

Mumbai generates 6256 tonnes of waste every day, of which 17.20% is recyclable, but only a fraction of this is retrieved by rag-pickers. The economic value of the retrieved material is not considered by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai in valuing the waste management system as there is no retrieval mechanism except the informal rag-picking activity. Moreover, the cost of land used for the dumping of waste is also not accounted for. In the present paper, a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis for the present system of municipal solid waste management in Mumbai is carried out, with due consideration for implicit or hidden costs and benefits. Accounting for the implicit costs and benefits showed a difference of $6 per every tonne of waste disposal. This could show a considerable difference in policy development at the municipality level. Demand supply analysis proved that the present system of waste management would not yield a feasible market solution without private sector participation. With the increasing demand for improved waste management, private sector participation is essential and a Pigouvian tax is a necessary tool to make the private sector participation in solid waste management a success.     

Dynamics of sulfur dioxide absorption in a raindrop falling at terminal velocity

Sulfur dioxide absorption dynamics in a raindrop are studied numerically by means of a fully numerical simulation method (FNSM) in which a composite orthogonal grid system consisting of both gas- and liquid-phase is adopted. When a raindrop with fixed radius falls in association with terminal velocity, a recirculation bubble always accompanies the gas-phase flow field in the aft region of the drop. With regard to the drop internal flow structure it has a drastic variation with drop size. When the drop radius is small (e.g. r_s=200 μm), only a single vortex motion is seen inside the drop. Under such a situation, sulfur dioxide absorbed from the interface is mainly transported from the area in front of the aft stagnation point. In contrast, as the drop is relatively large, say, r_s=500 μm, it is of interest to find that a double-vortex motion, composed of a primary and a secondary vortexes, is clearly observed. As a result, the onset of SO₂ transport process occurs at the drop’s surface near where the two vortexes meet. By defining a drop mass transport number, it indicates that the mass transported via internal circulation is always much faster than that by mass diffusion and the latter is highly relevant to the drop radius. Accordingly, the SO₂ transport dynamics in a raindrop is essentially determined by drop size.     

ESP Bus Section Failures: Design Considerations

This paper addresses a common operation and maintenance problem encountered with sectionalized electrostatic precipitators—bus section failure. ESPs are normally designed to meet a specific minimum collection efficiency in order to comply with emission standards; the loss of several bus sections may cause the unit to be out of compliance. In this paper, the effect of bus section failure on precipitator performance is analyzed. The study is presented in two parts. First, a simplified procedure to estimate the effect of bus section failure on the overall collection efficiency is developed. An illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the use of the technique. Secondly—and this is the main thrust of this study—the technique is extended to include calculations on whether a unit is out of compliance due to the failure of a given number of bus sections. This development clearly shows that this latter effect can only be expressed in terms of a probability. Two additional examples, based on a field unit using actual test data, complement the presentation and illustrate this probability calculation.     

Photochemistry and environment IV- Photochemical behaviour of monochlorophenols in dilute aqueous solution

The photochemical behaviour of chlorophenols is different to that of non-halogenated phenols. In the former, the first step is a C-Cl bond scission, which is not influenced by oxygen. Chlorine is converted into hydrochloric acid. For monochlorophenols, the position of the chlorine on the ring strongly influences the transformation. In the molecular form, 2-chlorophenol is converted into pyrocatechol. In the anionic form however, it is reduced in a cyclopentadienic acid which dimerizes according to a Diels-Alder reaction. The irradiation of 3-chlorophenol leads to resorcinol whatever the pH. This would appear to suggest a photohydrolysis mechanism. With 4-chlorophenol, the photochemical conversion is not so specific. Hydroquinone is formed (mainly in aerated solution), along with polyphenolic oligomers. A radical mechanism is proposed.     

Potential protective effects of Spirulina platensis on liver,kidney, and brain acrylamide toxicity in rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Acrylamide (AA) is a hazardous chemical that is widely used in industrial practices. Spirulina platensis (SP) is a blue green alga that is rich in...     

The Annual Average: An Alternative to the Second Highest Value as a Measure of Air Quality

It is common practice to use the second highest value both in determining compliance with the once-per-year air quality standards (AQS) and as a measure of air quality in pollutant trend studies and rollback calculations. A study of the variation in the second highest 8 hr carbon monoxide concentration observed at the CAMP stations 1962-72 is presented. It is shown that, for a given annual average, the second highest value can differ by a factor of 2 due to random variation. The annual average is linearly related to the observed average of the second highest value and is shown to be a good predictor of the percent of time the carbon monoxide AQS is exceeded. It is concluded that the annual average, which is less variable and not as greatly influenced by erroneous measurements, is the preferred measure of air quality for trend studies and air quality projections.     

Therapeutic potential of dopamine agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Diabetes is a global health concern that has affected almost 415 million people globally. Bromocriptine is a dopamine D2 agonist, which is a Food and...     

旋转电极式电除尘器清灰刷寿命实验方法设计

旋转电极式电除尘器可有效解决电除尘器振打造成的二次扬尘问题,降低出口粉尘排放浓度,是目前新建和改造电除尘器采用的主流技术之一,尤其对于改造项目具有非常好的经济性。清灰刷作为旋转电极式电除尘器的关键部件之一,其失效形式和使用寿命的研究非常重要。通过分析实验原理,设计了清灰刷失效形式和寿命的实验方法,搭建了实验装置,设计了清灰刷的测量和评价方法,对清灰刷的压力、倒伏等性能进行了测试工具设计,观察了清灰刷的显微结构,对国内某厂家的清灰刷做了初步实验并得到初步的结论,为清灰刷的进一步实验和改进提供了基础。     

Theoretical comparison of efficiency and power for single-stage and multiple-stage particulate scrubbing

In some situations it may be energy-efficient to use a series of low-energy scrubbers for particulate control rather than a single high-energy scrubber, even one with pre-conditioning spray. Using an exponential expression for penetration, it is shown that, for a given total pressure drop, a multi-stage scrubber has maximum or minimum penetration when pressure drop is equally divided among the stages. It has lower penetration than a single-stage scrubber of the same total pressure drop if the power to which pressure drop is raised in the exponential expression for penetration is less than one, and conversely. A more complicated criterion is given for the case of different pressure drop dependences for the single-stage scrubber and for a single stage of the multiple-stage device, assuming the exponential form is still appropriate for both.     

加压溶气气浮设备理论溶气量的计算

本文通过对加压溶气过程的分析 ,建立了理想加压溶气过程模型 ,在此基础上推导出新的理论溶气量计算公式 ,并与现有的计算公式进行了比较。     

Noncatalytic Auto Exhaust Combustor

Present methods for the determination of carbon monoxide are discussed including indicator tubes, the iodine pentoxide reaction and measurement by gas chromatography. In the gas chromatographic method an air sample is separated on a gas-solid chromatogra-phic column and the separated CO is converted to methane by hydrogenation at elevated temperature. The separated CO, in the form of methane, is passed into a hydrogen flame detector and measured. The conversion from CO to methane allows the use of a sensitive ionization detector in place of the thermal conductivity cell which is insufficiently sensitive for the measurement of trace amounts of CO. The optimum operating conditions are discussed. It is possible to determine one ppm CO in air. The iodine pentoxide reaction with CO has been combined with electrometric measurement. The iodine liberated is passed into a Ditte cell and the current generated is measured by an electrometerrecorder combination. This method is continuously direct reading with a permanent record. It is suitable for the continuous routine analysis of one ppm CO.     

Evaluation of a simplified top-down model for the spatial assessment of hot traffic emissions in mid-sized cities

Traffic emission estimation in developing countries is a key-issue for air pollution management. In most cases, comprehensive bottom-up methodologies cannot be applied in mid-sized cities because of the resource cost related to their application. In this paper, a simplified emission estimation model (SEEM) is evaluated. The model is based on a top-down approach and gives annual global hot emission. Particular attention is paid to the quality of the input traffic data. The quality of results is assessed by application of the SEEM model in the Chilean Gran Concepción urban area and by comparison with a bottom-up approach that has been led for the year 2000. The SEEM model estimates emissions with an accuracy of about $20\%$ and is related to important resource savings. The results of the SEEM model are then distributed in space with a disaggregation approach and using GIS techniques. The relevancy of the disaggregation approach is evaluated among several possibilities through statistical methods. A spatial disaggregation using principal roads density gives the best results in terms of emissions repartition and gives a globally accurate image of the distribution of hot emissions in a mid-sized city.     

Atmospheric pollution transport: the parallelization of a transport & chemistry code

We discuss a model for computing the chemical reactions occurring among air pollutants and predict their dispersion in the atmosphere. We consider a parallel implementation on a CRAY T3D, using up to 128 processors. A regular subdomain decomposition is considered to optimize inter-processor communications, while load balancing – the main technical difficulty to obtain a good efficiency – is achieved by re-assigning temporarily pieces of work to other processors, according to a global strategy. The performance of our implementation is described by an analytical relation whose validity is checked on realistic data sets. A speedup of 100 is obtained with 128 processors.     

Unidirectional gas flow in soil porosity resulting from barometric pressure cycles

During numerical simulation of air flow in the vadose zone, it was noticed that a small sinusoidal pressure would cause a gradual one-way migration of the pore gas. This was found to be a physical phenomenon, not a numerical artifact of the finite element simulation. The one-way migration occurs because the atmospheric pressure, and hence the air density, is slightly greater when air is flowing into the ground than when air is flowing out of the ground. A simple analytic theory of the phenomenon is presented, together with analytic calculations using actual barometric pressure data. In soil of one Darcy permeability, the one-way migration is of the order of a few tenths of a meter per year for either plane flow from ground surface or for radial flow from an open borehole. The migration is sufficiently small that it will have no practical consequences in most circumstances; however, investigators who conduct detailed numerical modeling should recognize that this phenomenon is not a numerical artifact in an apparently linear system.