Dynamic studies on lead volatilization from CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 molten slag under N2–CO–CO2, N2–HCl and N2–H2S gas atmospheres

Dynamic studies on the volatilization of lead from CaO–SiO₂–Al₂O₃ molten slags were conducted in a lab-scale melting furnace from 1623 to 1773 K under different mixed gas atmospheres of CO 0.05–0.3 atm to CO₂ 0–0.3 atm to N₂ (balance), HCl 1.7 × 10^?3–6.7 × 10^?3 atm to N₂ (balance), and H₂S 3.0 × 10^?4 to 1.7 × 10^?3 atm to N₂ (balance). The slag samples consisted of the mixed powders of 20–50 wt% CaO, 30–60 wt% SiO₂, and 10–40 wt% Al₂O₃, containing 2000 ppm PbO.Results showed that the rates of volatilization of lead from the CaO–SiO₂–Al₂O₃ molten slags under the N₂–CO–CO₂, N₂–HCl, and N₂–H₂S gas atmospheres were higher than those under the simulated air (N₂–O₂), which increased with CO, HCl, and H₂S partial pressures. At \(p_{{HCl}}\)  =  \(p_{H_{2}S}\)  = 1.7 × 10^?3 atm, the apparent rate constants for the volatilization of lead under the N₂–H₂S and N₂–HCl gas atmospheres were nearly equal, which increased with a rise in temperature. Results also showed that the rate of volatilization of lead from the molten slag decreased drastically with the increasing viscosity of the molten slag, in the viscosity range lower than 3 Pa s. Consequently, the volatilization of lead from the CaO–SiO₂–Al₂O₃ molten slag was significantly influenced by CO, HCl, and H₂S partial pressures and by the viscosity of the molten slag.     

Inulin–Niacin Conjugates: Preparation,Characterization, Kinetic and In Vitro Release Studies

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Niacin, an essential B-complex vitamin, used in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the first perceived lipid regulating medication,...     

Air–Soil Exchange of NO,NO2 and O3 in Forests

The exchange of NO, NO₂ and O₃ at the soil surface wasmeasured with automatic dynamic chambers in a spruce forest and in abeech forest during periods of several months.NO was emitted from the soil at a rate of0–8 ng N m^-2 s^-1(spruce) and 0–15 ng Nm^-2 s^-1(beech), but there was no simple relationship between the flux andeither soil temperature or soil moisture. NO₂ and O₃ weredeposited at the soil surface. Deposition velocities forNO₂were on average 0.3 mm s^-1 (spruce) and 0.1 mms^-1(beech), and the deposition velocities of O₃ were on average 1.6 mm s^-1 (spruce) and 1.4 mm s^-1 (beech). The depositionvelocity of O₃ is fairly constant whereas the deposition velocityof NO₂ varies greatly, but the reasons remain to be investigated.     

Aliphatic–Aromatic Polyols by Thiol–Ene Reactions

Aliphatic–aromatic polyols were synthesized by thiol–ene reactions (photochemical or thermal) using mercaptanized starting materials from bio-based compounds: limonene dimercaptan, thioglycerol, mercaptanized castor oil and isosorbide (3-mercaptopropyl) ether. Aromatic starting materials were phenols containing double bonds; ortho-allyl phenol (OAP, petrochemical-based) and eugenol (EUG, bio-based). The phenolic hydroxyl groups were blocked by alkoxylation with propylene oxide (PO) or glycidol (GLY) prior to use in thiol–ene reaction. The aromatic rings were attached to the mercaptans by reacting thiol groups with the double bonds of alkoxylated OAP (OAP–PO and OAP–GLY) and alkoxylated EUG (EUG–PO and EUG–GLY). These synthesized aliphatic–aromatic polyols were utilized for preparation of rigid polyurethane foams whose physical–mechanical properties were superior to those made only from bio-based aliphatic polyols. These rigid PU foams can be used in a wide range of applications; such as thermal insulation of freezers, buildings, pipes and storage tanks for food and chemical industries, as wood substitute, packaging materials and flotation materials.     

Urban Metabolism of Mercury Turnover,Emissions and Stock in Stockholm 1795–1995

This article accounts for the use of mercury (Hg) in differentactivities in Stockholm during the time period 1795–1995.Turnover of Hg is estimated to 122–440 tons, amounts recycled: 27–50 tons and total emissions of Hg are estimated to 90–390 tons. The stock was approximately 4.4–8.1 tons in 1995. 19th century handicraft occupations and medical treatment emitted alarge part of the Hg, emission sources that hitherto have beenunknown in Sweden. Emissions peaked around 1960, thereafter theemissions plummeted, being the result of decreased use of Hg fordental fillings and in products such as batteries, while recycling efforts had a limited effect on reducing total emissions. Based on this finding, the current focus on collectionof Hg containing products for long term storage in bedrock is questioned. If the aim is to reduce the potential for environmental hazards because of Hg it might be better to focusmore attention on the already emitted amounts since these are nearly 30 times greater than the amount of Hg in stock.     

Compositional Limitations in Poly–3–Hydroxyalkanoates Produced by Pseudomonas oleovorans

It is well known that Pseudomonas oleovorans can utilize sodium octanoate for both cell growth and the synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), but it can utilize sodium butyrate only for limited cell growth and not for the polyester formation when this substrate is the sole carbon source. Therefore, these two substrates were evaluated as cofeeds for the possible incorporation of 3-hydroxybutyryl groups in the resulting PHA. When sodium butyrate and sodium octanoate were fed to P. oleovorans as cosubstrates in various proportions, the resultant cell density and polymer content were proportional to the amount of sodium octanoate in the feed. The PHA extracted from cells grown in all combinations of these cosubstrates had similar unit compositions of approximately 8 mole % 3-hydroxyhexanoate, 91 mole % 3-hydroxyoctanoate and 1 mole % 3-hydroxydecanoate. 3-Hydroxybutyrate units were not detected in any of the PHAs isolated, indicating that these units could not be incorporated in the copolymer synthesized by P. oleovorans either because the cell did not synthesize that monomer or, if it did, the PHA synthase could not copolymerize it with the longer chain monomers.     

On Sand and Duststorms and Associated Significant Dustfall Observed in Chongju-Chongwon,Korea during 1997–2000

Monitoring of the occurrence of sandstorms and dustfallphenomena from 1997 to 2000 was carried out. We refer tosandstorms, duststorms and blowing sand as the phenomenaoccurring in the source region, while significant dustfall is thephenomenon that occur in the sink area. It was noted that while the sandstorms in deserts and loess in NW-N China and Mongolia occurred any time during the year while severe sandstorms occurred frequently from March to May after the springthaw. The wind erosion in the source region usually occurred withwind speeds greater than 8 ms^-1. However, severe sandstorm phenomenon occurred with wind greater than 15 ms^-1 for at least 3 hr or more. In the source regions, sandstorms occurred over60–120 days per year. In Mongolia, the observation of thenumber of sandstorm days decreased due to the increase in rainy days.When a dust cloud from a desert reached the sink region,significant dustfall in the Korean Peninsula occurred due tothe lack of strong winds. We defined the episode ofsignificant dustfall (SD) with the following values: TSP250, PM₁₀ 190 g m^-3 and visibility 6.5 km or less. In Korea, 8–12 episodes of SD occurred per yearwith 12 to 22 SD days. The maximum concentrations of TSP recorded were 989–1396 g m^-3 with PM₁₀ values of 861–996 g m^-3 and with the lowestvisibility of 1.4–1.6 km.     

Formation characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and coplanar PCBs in fly ash from a gasification–melting process of municipal solid waste

PCDDs/DF and Co-PCB (dioxin) formations were studied with ash from a newly developed gasification and melting process for municipal solid waste. Ash samples were heated in a laboratory-scale fixed-bed reactor. Emphasis was placed on the effects of the type and composition of ash, temperatures, gas residence time, and gaseous organic precursors. Investigations using macroscopic and homologue distribution analyses led to the following conclusion. The ash from the gasification–melting process had the ability to generate dioxins in flue gas. A possible carbon source is unburned carbon in the ash samples, although this was very low (less than 0.01%). An experimental result that the level of dioxins generated from preheated fly ash obtained from a conventional incinerator was much lower than that from nonheated fly ash supported this conclusion. Dioxin concentrations obviously showed temperature dependence and peaked at 350°C. Dioxins formed in a gasification–melting process ash were readily desorbed from the surface, probably because of the low carbon content of the ash. There was no experimental evidence that gaseous organic precursors fed to the reactor generated dioxins. Therefore, an organic precursor was not essential for the formation of dioxins. A good linear relationship obtained between PCDDs/DFs and gas residence time also supported the assumption. Received: February 14, 2000 / Accepted: June 30, 2000     

Lead contamination in surface soil on roads from used lead–acid battery recycling in Dong Mai,Northern Vietnam

Used lead–acid battery (ULAB) recycling has caused numerous health and environmental issues in developing countries. Surface soil pollution from ULAB recycling activities has been linked with elevated levels of lead in human blood. We measured surface soil lead in and surrounding the ULAB recycling village of Hung Yen in northern Vietnam in 2011, 2013, and 2014. The data were analyzed statistically and discussed with respect to distance from the contamination source, year of measurement, contamination pathway, and countermeasures against the contamination. Transportation routes from the smelter or collection site displayed the greatest concentration of surface soil lead (median 6400–10,000 mg/kg). Surface soil lead decreased significantly with distance along the road from the ULAB recycling site, although such a decrease was not observed for rice fields, agricultural roads, or garden soil. Re-suspension and adherence by traffic were identified as key pollution pathways. Distance from the source, covering of the surface of roads, construction of walls, and position relative to the source were shown to be the most effective factors in the reduction of surface soil lead pollution. Application of a combination of these measures should result in improvement in the health of residents.