Large eddy simulation of oxy-coal combustion in an industrial combustion test facility

Oxy-fuel combustion is considered as one of the most promising technologies for carbon capture and storage (CCS). In this study, a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code has been employed for the simulation of an air-fired coal combustion and an oxy-fired coal combustion with recycled flue gas in a 1 MW_th combustion test facility. Reynolds–averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solutions have been obtained for both cases. Results indicate that the CFD code with existing physical sub-models can provide a reasonable prediction for the air-fired combustion. However, the prediction for the oxy-fired case has not been as satisfactory as expected. In order to assess the impact of the turbulence treatment in CFD on the predictions, large eddy simulation (LES) has been performed for oxy-fired case and compared with the results from the RANS simulation and the available experimental data. Although the results suggest that LES can provide a more realistic prediction of the shape and the physical properties of the flame, there has not been significant improvement in the prediction of the temperature. In addition, the complexity of the problem requires more detailed experimental data for the validation of the LES. In order to improve the validity of numerical simulations for design purposes, further modelling improvements for oxy-coal combustion that are necessary for more accurate predictions are addressed. Based on this study, it is envisaged that the complexity in the oxy-coal combustion process requires more detailed analyses of the available physical sub-models.     

NDVI indicated characteristics of vegetation cover change in China��s metropolises over the last three decades

How urban vegetation was influenced by three decades of intensive urbanization in China is of great interest but rarely studied. In this paper, we used satellite derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and socioeconomic data to evaluate effects of urbanization on vegetation cover in China??s 117 metropolises over the last three decades. Our results suggest that current urbanization has caused deterioration of urban vegetation across most cities in China, particularly in East China. At the national scale, average urban area NDVI (NDVI_u) significantly decreased during the last three decades (P?<?0.01), and two distinct periods with different trends can be identified, 1982?C1990 and 1990?C2006. NDVI_u did not show statistically significant trend before 1990 but decrease remarkably after 1990 (P?<?0.01). Different regions also showed difference in the timing of NDVI_u turning point. The year when NDVI_u started to decline significantly for Central China and East China was 1987 and 1990, respectively, while NDVI_u in West China remained relatively constant until 1998. NDVI_u changes in the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta, two regions which has been undergoing the most rapid urbanization in China, also show different characteristics. The Pearl River Delta experienced a rapid decline in NDVI_u from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s; while in the Yangtze River Delta, NDVI_u did not decline significantly until the early 1990s. Such different patterns of NDVI_u changes are closely linked with policy-oriented difference in urbanization dynamics of these regions, which highlights the importance of implementing a sustainable urban development policy.     

Evaluation of sound exposure and risk of hearing impairment in orchestral musicians

This study aimed to assess exposure to sound and the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in orchestral musicians. Sound pressure level was measured in 1 opera and 3 symphony orchestras; questionnaires were filled in. On the basis of that data, the risk of NIHL was assessed according to Standard No. ISO 1999:1990. Classical orchestral musicians are usually exposed to sound at equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure levels of 81?90 dB (10th?90th percentiles), for 20?45 h (10th?90th percentiles) per week. Occupational exposure to such sound levels over 40 years of employment might cause hearing loss (expressed as a mean hearing threshold level at 2, 3, 4 kHz exceeding 35 dB) of up to 26%. Playing the horn, trumpet, tuba and percussion carries the highest risk (over 20%).     

Mobilization and plant accumulation of prometryne in soil by two different sources of organic matter

Prometryne is a selective herbicide of the s-triazine chemical family. Due to its weak absorption onto soil, it readily leaches down through the soil and contaminates underground water. Application of organic manure to soil has become a widespread practice as a disposal strategy to improve soil properties. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of pig manure compost (PMC) and lake-bed sludge (SL) on the sorption/desorption, mobility and bioavailability of prometryne in soil using comprehensive analysis approaches. Downward movement of prometryne was monitored in the packed soil column. Addition of PMC or SL decreased considerably the mobility and total concentration of prometryne in the soil leachate. Bioavailability analyses with wheat plants revealed that addition of the organic matter reduced accumulation of prometryne in tissues and increased plant elongation and biomass. These results indicate that the organic amendments are effective in modifying adsorption and mobility of the pesticide in soil.     

石化企业用火作业管理难点和管控措施浅析

针对石化企业用火作业背后隐藏的高风险,分析了目前石化企业用火管理方面存在的问题,提出了"两减一提"硬核管控用火,细化用火职责,建立过程管控责任清单,现场用火过程动态监督检查,多种方式提升安全技能等具体管控措施。     

Recovery elemental sulfur from calcium sulfide prepared by red gypsum in sulfuric acid wastewater treatment

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Red gypsum comes from TiO2 production industry by sulfate method, which comes from the low acidic liquid stream treatment using lime or limestone....     

Fabrication of PVA/GO Nanofiber Films by Electrospinning: Application for the Adsorption of Cu2+ and Organic Dyes

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - In recent years, the treatment of water pollution has been a challenging and far-reaching topic. In order to improve the adsorption performance of...     

A Highly Efficient Adsorbent Based on Starch-Graphene Oxide Architecture for Scavenging Aqueous Pb(II): Isotherms,Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Interaction Mechanism

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Heavy metal pollution stems from the modern industry is a severe environmental problem. In this work, a highly efficient adsorbent based on starch-graphene...     

Effects of exposure to environmental pollutants on mitochondrial DNA copy number: a meta-analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Exposure to environmental pollutants has been associated with alteration on relative levels of mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn). However, the...     

Investigation of indole biodegradation by Cupriavidus sp. strain IDO with emphases on downstream biotransformation and indigo production

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Indole, as a typical N-heterocyclic aromatic pollutant, poses risks to living things; however, indole-biotransformation mechanisms remain...