Application of quadratic regression model for Fenton treatment of municipal landfill leachate

The effectiveness of Fenton process in municipal landfill leachate treatment, as a pre- or post-treatment approach, has been demonstrated. However, no general recommendations of universal validity could be made in the term of optimized conditions affecting Fenton process. At the first stage of this study, collected leachate samples from Aradkooh site, Tehran, Iran, were investigated using one-factor-at-a-time method to find out optimum coagulation pH and flocculation time values. Subsequently, the obtained results in addition to data issued previously by the authors were employed to develop a predictive model of the true response surface, namely chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency. Finally, the main parameters of Fenton procedure, i.e. initial pH, [H(2)O(2)]/[Fe(2+)] molar ratio, Fe(2+) dosage, and coagulation pH were optimized taking advantage of the above-mentioned quadratic model. The derived second-order model included both significant linear and quadratic terms and seemed to be adequate in predicting responses (R(2)=0.9896 and prediction R(2)=0.6954). It was found that the interaction between initial pH and Fe(2+) dosage has a significant effect on COD removal. While, the optimal [H(2)O(2)]/[Fe(2+)] molar ratio was independent of ferrous ion dosage. The optimum conditions for the maximum COD removal of 50.76% for the parameters of initial pH, [H(2)O(2)]/[Fe(2+)] molar ratio, Fe(2+) dosage, and coagulation pH were found to be 5.8, 8.0, 22,500mg/L, and 8.7 respectively.     

A novel radiant floor system: Detailed characterization and comparison with traditional radiant systems

ABSTRACT

Radiant floor systems have the potential to reduce energy consumption and the carbon footprint of buildings. This study analyzed a novel radiant panel configuration comprising a metal plate with small spikes that can be pressed into cement board or wood. The behavior of this configuration was simulated for different materials for the metal plate, spike dimensions, and varying spacing between spikes. An annual energy simulation model compared the radiant panel configuration with the traditional concrete-based system. Simulations were run under heating dominant, cooling dominant, and neutral conditions; significant cost savings and greenhouse gas emission reduction were seen across all scenarios.     

Musculoskeletal symptoms as related to ergonomic factors in Iranian hand-woven carpet industry and general guidelines for workstation design.

Carpet weaving is a high risk occupation for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The objectives of the present study, which was carried out in the Iranian hand-woven carpet industry, were determination of the prevalence of MSD symptoms, identification of major factors associated with MSD symptoms and development of guidelines for workstation design. 1,439 randomly selected weavers participated in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data on MSD symptoms. The results revealed that the prevalence rates for symptoms in different body regions were high as compared to the general Iranian population (for neck, back and large joints, p <.0001). The results of multivariate analyses showed that major ergonomic factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms were loom type, working posture, daily working time and seat type. Based on the results, some general guidelines for designing weaving workstations were developed. A prototype test showed that the new workstation was acceptable for subject tests and that it improved working posture.     

Temperature dependence of the infinite dilution activity coefficient and Henry's law constant of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water

The water solubility of 9,10-dihydroanthracene was experimentally determined between 278.12 and 313.17 K. Determinations were carried out by an experimental procedure developed in our laboratory, which is a modification of the dynamic coupled column liquid chromatographic technique. The uncertainty of the experimental determinations ranged from +/- 0.50% to +/- 3.10%. These data, as well as the water solubility data of other five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) previously studied, were used to calculate the temperature dependence of the infinite dilution activity coefficient of 9,10-dihydroanthracene, anthracene, pyrene, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene, m-terphenyl, and guaiazulene in water. Molar excess enthalpies and entropies at infinite dilution, at 298.15 K, were also derived. The temperature dependence of the infinite dilution activity coefficients was used, together with literature values of the vapor pressures of supercooled liquid PAHs (p(B)(sc)), to estimate their Henry's law constants (HLC). Only HLC for anthracene, pyrene, and 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene were calculated, since no p(B)(sc) data were available in the literature for 9,10-dihydroanthracene, m-terphenyl, and guaiazulene. From the observed temperature dependence of the Henry's law constants the enthalpy and entropy of the phase change from the dissolved phase to the gas phase were also derived for anthracene, pyrene, and 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene.     

Equilibrium,kinetics and thermodynamics studies on adsorptive removal of cobalt ions from wastewater using MIL-100(Fe)

This study describes experiments in which MIL-100(Fe) was used to remove Co²⁺ ions from the waste water. The synthesised adsorbent was characterised by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscope. Statistical analysis was used to investigate the effects of different parameters. From the obtained results, the removal efficiency was enhanced with increasing contact time and pH but decreased with increasing cobalt initial concentration. The maximum removal efficiency of Co⁺² was 93.4% under optimum conditions. The equilibrium adsorption data were best fitted to linearly transformed Freundlich isotherm. Adsorption kinetic data followed the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity of Co⁺² on to the MIL-100(Fe) was found to be 119 mg g^?1. The results showed that ?G of adsorption was negative, while ?H was positive which showed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The positive value of ?S showed that disordering and randomness increased at the solid–solution interface of cobalt ions with MIL-100(Fe) particles.     

Effects of Compatibilizer and Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) Concentration on Morphological,Rheological, Tensile,Thermal and Moisture Sorption Properties of Plasticized Polylactic Acid/TPS Blends

The blends of polylactic acid plasticized with acetyl tributyl citrate (P-PLA) and thermoplastic wheat starch (TPS) were prepared by a co-rotating twin screw extruder and the effect of maleic anhydride grafted PLA (PLA-g-MA) content as reactive compatibilizer on blends compatibility through morphological, rheological and tensile properties of the blends was investigated. Considerable improvement in properties of P-PLA/TPS (70/30 w/w) blend with incorporating the optimum PLA-g-MA content of 4 phr was achieved as this blend exhibited better morphological and rheological properties with an increase by 158 and 276% in tensile strength and elongation at break, respectively, compared to the uncompatibilized blend. Also the thermal stability and moisture sorption properties of the blends as effected by TPS content were studied. Decreasing in thermal stability and increasing in equilibrium moisture content of the blends were observed with progressively increasing of TPS content. For prediction the moisture sorption behaviour of blends with various TPS contents at different relative humidity, the moisture sorption isotherm data were modeled by GAB (Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer) model.     

Distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in tailings,soils, and plants around Gol-E-Gohar iron mine,a case study in Iran

This study investigated the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) including Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn in 102 soils (in the Near and Far areas of the mine), 7 tailings, and 60 plant samples (shoots and roots of Artemisia sieberi and Zygophylum species) collected at the Gol-E-Gohar iron ore mine in Iran. The elemental concentrations in tailings and soil samples (in Near and Far areas) varied between 7.4 and 35.8 mg kg^?1 for As (with a mean of 25.39 mg kg^?1 for tailings), 7.9 and 261.5 mg kg^?1 (mean 189.83 mg kg^?1 for tailings) for Co, 17.7 and 885.03 mg kg^?1 (mean 472.77 mg kg^?1 for tailings) for Cu, 12,500 and 400,000 mg kg^?1 (mean 120,642.86 mg kg^?1 for tailings) for Fe, and 28.1 and 278.1 mg kg^?1 (mean 150.29 mg kg^?1 for tailings) for Ni. A number of physicochemical parameters and pollution index for soils were determined around the mine. Sequential extractions of tailings and soil samples indicated that Fe, Cr, and Co were the least mobile and that Mn, Zn, Cu, and As were potentially available for plants uptake. Similar to soil, the concentration of Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Zn in plant samples decreased with the distance from the mining/processing areas. Data on plants showed that metal concentrations in shoots usually exceeded those in roots and varied significantly between the two investigated species (Artemisia sieberi > Zygophylum). All the reported results suggest that the soil and plants near the iron ore mine are contaminated with PTEs and that they can be potentially dispersed in the environment via aerosol transport and deposition.     

Assessing energy efficiencies,economy, and global warming potential (GWP) effects of major crop production systems in Iran: a case study in East Azerbaijan province

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Efficient use of energy in farming systems is one of the most important implications for decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigating...     

Assessment of hospitalization and mortality from exposure to PM10 using AirQ modeling in Ilam,Iran

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The aims of this study were to assess the health impact of PM10 on inhabitants and to investigate the trend of PM10 concentrations in Ilam, Iran, from...     

Developing strategies for managing construction and demolition wastes in Malaysia based on the concept of circular economy

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a pressing issue not only in Malaysia, but it is also a worldwide concern including the developed countries as well. C&D waste should be managed throughout the construction cycle. The concept of circular economy (CE) is an emerging notion that has the potential to be utilized as waste minimization approach. This paper aims to assess the potentials of incorporating the CE concept as an approach to minimizing C&D wastes, by developing a CE-based theoretical framework for C&D waste management in Malaysia. In line with this objective, a systematic review has been conducted to determine how CE can be operationalised as a strategy to minimize wastes, while considering it as a key factor for mitigating the environmental impacts. Based on the literature review, a CE-based theoretical framework has been proposed using Malaysia as a case study. The framework has been developed following a three-layer approach namely micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. Waste minimization strategies have been identified for each level taking into account the main stages in the construction industry, i.e., planning, designing, procurement, construction, and demolition. The different stakeholders involved at each stage and their interactions in the stages have also been identified.