Dilution sampling and analysis of particulate matter in biomass-derived syngas

Thermochemical biomass gasification, followed by conversion of the produced syngas to fuels and electrical power, is a promising energy alternative. Real-world characterization of particulate matter (PM) and other contaminants in the syngas is important to minimize damage and ensure efficient operation of the engines it powers and the fuels created from it. A dilution sampling system is demonstrated to quantify PM in syngas generated from two gasification plants utilizing different biomass feedstocks: a BioMax?15 Biopower System that uses raw and torrefied woodchips as feedstocks, and an integrated biorefinery (IBR) that uses rice hulls and woodchips as feedstocks. PM_2.5 mass concentrations in syngas from the IBR downstream of the purification system were 12.8–13.7 μg·m⁻³, which were significantly lower than the maximum level for catalyst protection (500 μg·m⁻³) and were 2–3 orders of magnitude lower than those in BioMax?15 syngas (2247–4835 μg·m⁻³). Ultrafine particle number concentration and PM_2.5 chemical constituents were also much lower in the IBR syngas than in the BioMax?15. The dilution sampling system enabled reliable measurements over a wide range of concentrations: the use of high sensitivity instruments allowed measurement at very low concentrations (∼1 μg·m⁻³), while the flexibility of dilution minimized sampling problems that are commonly encountered due to high levels of tars in raw syngas (∼1 g·m⁻³).     

Carcass disposal and siting controversy: Risk,dialogue and confrontation in the 2001 foot-and-mouth Outbreak

Abstract

This paper examines controversy during the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak after mass carcass burial sites were selected at two sites in northeast England, and focuses on shortcomings in public consultation surrounding the carcass disposal policy. The slaughter of six million animals necessitated a national disposal strategy on a hitherto unknown scale. The belated decision to concentrate carcass disposal in a small number of mass burial sites provoked more opposition in the two ex-mining localities selected in the northeast than anywhere else. In both cases local liaison committees were established to manage dialogue between residents and public authorities. We argue that, although seen by the authorities primarily as a vehicle for risk communication and public reassurance, for residents these functioned chiefly as a vehicle for holding public authorities to account. These divergent purposes were overshadowed by the chaotic circumstances in which the early stages of the mass burial policy were implemented, and the way in which the carcass disposal policy was dictated by the operation of the slaughter policy, whose draconian form precluded any but the most cursory public consultation.     

How to stay together? Habitat use by three sympatric sharks in the western coast of Baja California Sur,Mexico

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Sharks are top predators and play an important role in the regulation of marine ecosystems at lower trophic position. Mustelus californicus, Sphyrna...     

Identity and distribution of residues of energetic compounds at army live-fire training ranges

Environmental investigations have been conducted at 23 military firing ranges in the United States and Canada. The specific training facilities most frequently evaluated were hand grenade, antitank rocket, and artillery ranges. Energetic compounds (explosives and propellants) were determined and linked to the type of munition used and the major mechanisms of deposition.     

Characteristics of Composition B particles from blow-in-place detonations

We sampled residues from high-order and low-order blow-in-place detonations of mortars and projectiles filled with Composition B (Comp B), a TNT and RDX mixture. Our goals were to (1) characterize the types of explosive particles, (2) estimate the explosive 'footprint' for different munitions, and (3) estimate the mass of Comp B remaining after each detonation. The aerial deposition of Comp B particles helps estimate how large of an area is contaminated by a low-order detonation and how best to sample residue resulting from different rounds. We found that the high-order detonations deposited microgram to milligram quantities whereas the low-order detonations deposited gram quantities of Comp B. For the high-order detonations the concentration of Comp B in the residue decreased as a function of distance from the blast. The low-order tests scattered centimeter-sized chunks and millimeter-sized or smaller particles of Comp B. The chunks were randomly scattered whereas the number of millimeter-sized particles decreased with distance from the detonation. For both high- and low-order detonations we found that the smaller munitions deposited less Comp B than the larger munitions and deposited it closer to the detonation point.     

Moving from misinformation derived from public attitude surveys on carbon dioxide capture and storage towards realistic stakeholder involvement

Stakeholder involvement (SI) can include many activities, from providing information on a website to one-on-one conversations with people confronting an issue in their community. For carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), there are now quite a few surveys of public attitudes towards CCS that are being used to inform the design of SI efforts. These surveys, focused on the nascent commercial deployment of CCS technologies, have demonstrated that the general public has little knowledge about CCS—yet the surveys go on to collect what are known as “pseudo opinions” or “non-attitudes” of respondents who know little or nothing about CCS. Beyond establishing the lack of knowledge about CCS, the results of these surveys should not be relied upon by the larger CCS community and public and private decision makers to inform the critical task of implementing and executing SI activities. The paper discusses the issues involved in providing information as part of the survey, maintaining that such information is never unbiased and thus tends to produce pseudo opinions that reflect the pollster's or researcher's bias. Other content and methodological issues are discussed, leading to the conclusion that most of the survey results should be used neither as a gauge of public attitudes nor as an indication of public acceptance. Then the framing of SI in CCS is examined, including the assumptions that clear stakeholder acceptance is a realistic goal and that the public has a decisive say in choosing the energy technologies of the present and the future. Finally, a broader suite of SI activities is recommended as more suited to realistic and contextual goals.     

Ecosystems for future generations

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -