Energy sub-modules applied in life-cycle inventory of processes

The heating and cooling of unit processes (utilities) are often the most significant energy fraction of a gate-to-gate life-cycle inventory (LCI) for individual chemicals. Electricity usage is typically a smaller factor. An LCI of a manufacturing process for a specific chemical has been used to identify the heating and cooling requirements. This paper demonstrates the sub-modules used to convert these utilities into actual energy-related emissions for use in the LCI of a specific chemical. Assumptions and results of the unit operation inventory data and of the potential life-cycle burdens are clearly stated, to foster the objective of transparency. A user may substitute another energy grid, fuel sources, or efficiencies based on some site-specific data. The sub-modules utilize a design basis for calculating the utility emissions. Results may be used in LCI studies in the chemical, biochemical, and pharmaceutical industries.     

APPLICABILITY OF THE t-TEST FOR DETECTING TRENDS IN WATER QUALITY VARIABLES1

ABSTRACT: A major concern in managing water resources is whether or not water quality variables have changed over time or space. The two-sample Student's t-test is probably the most commonly used statistical test for this purpose. Given that the underlying assumptions of the test may often be violated by water quality variables, a major concern regarding applicability of the test arises. This paper reviews and synthesizes available information in order to examine the effects of non-normality, unequal variances, serial dependence, and seasonality on the performance of the two-sample t-test. The results suggest the t-test is robust for non-normal distributions if the distributions have the same shape (either symmetric or skewed) and sample sizes are equal. The t-test is also robust for unequal variances if the sample sizes are equal. The t-test appears not to be robust when: 1) samples come from two distributions of different shape, 2) samples have unequal variances and unequal sample sizes, 3) serial dependence in observations is present, or 4) seasonal changes, in concentration are present and not removed.     

An unusual case of failure in old oil-shale workings at Pumpherston,West Lothian,Scotland

This paper discusses the result of a drilling exercise in the Camps Shale, at the base of the Upper Oil Shale Group which lies in the Lower Carboniferous. One borehole, later duplicated, indicated that the stooped out area had failed in a manner totally unexpected and unpredicted. The site investigated lies to the east of Livingston New Town, in an area being considered for an extension of Livingston's industrial area in West Lothian District. The work was supervised by the author, funded by the Scottish Development Agency, and the contract let by the Derelict Land Rehabilitation Unit of Lothian Regional Council.     

Comparison of batch leaching tests and influence of pH on the release of metals from construction and demolition wastes

Construction and demolition wastes are suitable for use in road construction. However, leaching characterization of recycled materials is required to determine their pollutant potential and the consequence of their application in different scenarios. The motivation of this paper is derived from the increasing use of different leaching test methods. In Europe, the confusion resulting from the wide variety of tests used to evaluate environmental properties of construction materials implies that an evaluation of the current practices and the attempt to consolidate the approaches are required.Two equilibrium-based leaching tests (the Dutch test and the European standard) were conducted to assess the environmental impact of four recycled aggregates. Three natural limestone aggregates were used as controls. Both tests measure the potential release of hazardous elements under extreme conditions using different leaching parameters (L/S ratio, pH value and contact time). The results proved that pH is the most relevant factor on the assessment of the differences between leaching methods due to its strong control on the pollutant release.To classify the materials according to their environmental effects, the concentration limit values of the metals imposed by Council Decision 2003/33/EC were used as a reference. The comparison allowed the classification of the recycled aggregates as inert wastes, with the exception of the MR-2 aggregate, which was classified as non-hazardous material.     

使用LC／MS／MS分析水中的高氯酸盐类

对高氯酸类的使用和不适当的处置将使得高氯酸盐类在地下水、表层水、污染土壤、饮用水以及灌溉水之间迁移.美国有三十五个州已经在饮用水中检出了超过期望水平的高氯酸盐类.     

Temporal evolution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sludge from wastewater treatment plants: comparison between PAHs and heavy metals

This paper presents results on the presence and temporal variability of the 16 PAHs recommended by the EPA in primary, secondary and digested sewage sludge over a year. The sewage sludges originated from the Guadalete wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) site in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz, Spain). These organic pollutants have been extracted from the sewage sludge by microwave energy. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array (HPLC-DAD) or fluorescence (HPLC-FL) detectors have been used. The results showed that total PAHs concentration varied between 1,945 ng g(-1) dry matter (DM) for primary sludges collected in March and 10,100 ng g(-1) DM for primary sludge collected in June. Generally, concentrations of PAHs were higher in compost and digested sludge than in fresh one. On the other hand, the highest concentration of PAHs were found on summer. This thing is associated to the traffic increase from inland zones to the coast (Jerez de la Frontera is very near to beaches). Finally, this paper present a comparative study of the American an European legislation concluding that the limits of concentrations established are not exceeded. In addition heavy metals were analysed. The origin of PAHs and heavy metals seems to be different.