Interaction between BSM-contaminated soils and Italian ryegrass

The interaction among the bensulfuron-methyl, growth of Italian ryegrass, and soil chemical/biochemical/microbiological parameters was investigated in a microcosm experiment. The bensulfuron-methyl added to the soil can be rapidly degraded by certain fungi and actinomycetes present in the original paddy rice soil. The growth of Italian ryegrass significantly accelerated the in-soil degradation of bensulfuron-methyl in its rhizosphere. The uptake of bensulfuron-methyl by ryegrass increased with increasing dosage level of bensulfuron-methyl. However, the phytoextraction of bensulfuron-methyl by ryegrass contributed insignificantly to the total removal of the soil bensulfuron-methyl. Within the dosage range set in this study, the root development of ryegrass was not adversely affected by the presence of the soil bensulfuron-methyl although the fresh biomass of shoot was slightly reduced in the higher dosage treatments. This can be attributed to the adsorption of the added bensulfuron-methyl by soil colloids and consequently the reduction of bensulfuron-methyl level in the soil pore water to a concentration sufficiently lower than the toxic level. The growth of ryegrass significantly increased soil pH and the activities of phosphatase and peroxidase but reduced the EC and the activities of urease in the rhizospheric soil.     

Biodegradation of beta-cypermethrin by a novel Azoarcus indigens strain HZ5

A novel strain HZ5 was isolated from the activated sludge of a pesticide manufacturer in Hangzhou, which was capable of degrading beta-cypermethrin (beta-CP). Based on its physiological characteristics and analysis of 16S rDNA gene, strain HZ5 was identified as Azoarcus indigens, which was a new genus that can degrade beta-CP effectively. Strain HZ5 could degrade beta-CP over a wide range of temperature (20 to 40°C) and pH (5.5 to 9.0), and the optimal temperature and pH were 30°C and 7.0. The highest degradation rate was approximately 70% of 50 mg/L beta-CP within 144 h at pH 7.0 and 30°C in MSM. An additional carbon source could enhance the biodegradation of beta-CP. Studies on biodegradation of the beta-CP showed no significant enantioselectivity. During the process, two main intermediate metabolites were produced by strain HZ5 and determined as 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results indicated that strain HZ5 may have potential application in bioremediation of beta-CP polluted environment.     

Influences of adding easily degradable organic waste on the minimization and humification of organic matter during straw composting

To find a better composting process with low greenhouse gas emission and high humus production, the effect of adding kitchen waste on reduction and humification of organic matter during straw composting was studied. Three processes were compared, consisting of different ratios of straw and kitchen waste (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1). At four time points over a 62-d incubation, the reduction and humification of compost was evaluated by measuring the total mass, carbon content, and humic material content of the compost. Treatment 1 (straw/kitchen waste ratio of 1:2) reduced the total mass of compost the most. Treatment 2 (straw/kitchen waste ratio of 1:1) reduced the total carbon content the most, reflecting the highest emission of greenhouse gas. Treatment 3 produced the most humic acid material and released the lowest amount of carbon. Hence, from the point of view of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing stable organic matter such as humus and humic acid during composting, treatment #3 was optimal. The three treatments resulted in significant differences in microbial biomass and enzyme activity during composting. The highest amount of active microbial biomass was associated with the largest reduction in compost mass (treatment 1). Higher proportions of straw (treatments 2 and 3), which contains more lignin, were associated with greater β-glycosidase activity, which may generate more humus that can improve soil quality. Dehydrogenase activity seemed to be the most important microbial factor in organic carbon catabolism or humification.     

NOx Removal with Combined Selective Catalytic Reduction and Selective Noncatalytic Reduction: Pilot-Scale Test Results

Pilot-scale tests were conducted to develop a combined nitrogen oxide (NO_x) reduction technology using both selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and selective noncatalytic reduction (SNCR). A commercially available vanadium- and titanium-based composite honeycomb catalyst and enhanced urea (NH₂CONH₂) were used with a natural-gas-fired furnace at a NO_x concentration of 110 ppm. Changes in SNCR chemical injection temperature and stoichiometry led to varying levels of post-furnace ammonia (NH₃), which acts as the reductant feed to the downstream SCR catalyst. The urea-based chemical could routinely achieve SNCR plus SCR total NO_x reductions of 85 percent with less than 3 ppm NH₃ slip at reductant/NO_x stoichiometries ranging from about 1.5 to 2.5 and SCR space velocities of 18,000 to 32,000 h^?1. This pilot-scale research has shown that SNCR and SCR can be integrated to achieve high NO_x removal. SNCR provides high temperature reduction of NO_x followed by further removal of NO_x and minimization of NH₃ slip by a significantly downsized (high-space velocity) SCR.     

The Relationship between the Quantity of Heavy Metal and PAHs in Fly Ash

ABSTRACT

Heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in flue gas have received considerable attention in recent years due to their mutagenic or carcinogenic properties. The present study is carried out to investigate the influence of the quantity of heavy metals on PAHs formation in fly ash.

A fluidized bed incinerator was used in this experiment to obtain fly ash of chemical similarity by incinerating various compositions of waste. The obtained fly ash, both with and without heavy metal, were used to adsorb the PAHs in the flue gas and to investigate the formation of PAHs in fly ash. The results indicate that carbon and heavy metals most greatly influence the formation of PAHs in the fly ash. Carbon is absorptive; heavy metals encourage not only absorption of PAHs but also catalyze PAHs formation.     

Inorganic Acid Emission Factors of Semiconductor Manufacturing Processes

Abstract

A huge amount of inorganic acids can be produced and emitted with waste gases from integrated circuit manufacturing processes such as cleaning and etching. Emission of inorganic acids from selected semiconductor factories was measured in this study. The sampling of the inorganic acids was based on the porous metal denuders, and samples were then analyzed by ion chromatography. The amount of chemical usage was adopted from the data that were reported to the Environmental Protection Bureau in Hsin-chu County according to the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency regulation. The emission factor is defined as the emission rate (kg/month) divided by the amount of chemical usage (L/month). Emission factors of three inorganic acids (i.e., hydrofluoric acid [HF], hydrochloric acid [HQ], and sulfuric acid [H₂SO₄]) were estimated by the same method. The emission factors of HF and HCl were determined to be 0.0075 kg/L (coefficient of variation [CV] = 60.7%, n = 80) and 0.0096 kg/L (CV = 68.2%, n = 91), respectively. Linear regression equations are proposed to fit the data with correlation coefficient square (R²) = 0.82 and 0.9, respectively. The emission factor of H₂SO₄, which is in the droplet form, was determined to be 0.0016 kg/L (CV = 99.2%, n = 107), and its R² was 0.84. The emission profiles of gaseous inorganic acids show that HF is the dominant chemical in most of the fabricators.     

Analysis of a Summertime PM2.5 and Haze Episode in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Abstract

Observations of the mass and chemical composition of particles less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5), light extinction, and meteorology in the urban Baltimore-Washington corridor during July 1999 and July 2000 are presented and analyzed to study summertime haze formation in the mid-Atlantic region. The mass fraction of ammoniated sulfate (SO₄ ^2-) and carbonaceous material in PM_2.5 were each ～50% for cleaner air (PM_2.5 < 10 μg/m³) but changed to ～60% and ～20%, respectively, for more polluted air (PM_2.5 > 30 μg/m³). This signifies the role of SO₄ ^2- in haze formation. Comparisons of data from this study with the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments network suggest that SO₄ ^2? is more regional than carbonaceous material and originates in part from upwind source regions. The light extinction coefficient is well correlated to PM_2.5 mass plus water associated with inorganic salt, leading to a mass extinction efficiency of 7.6 ± 1.7 m²/g for hydrated aerosol. The most serious haze episode occurring between July 15 and 19, 1999, was characterized by westerly transport and recirculation slowing removal of pollutants. At the peak of this episode, 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration reached ～45 μg/m³, visual range dropped to ～5 km, and aerosol water likely contributed to ～40% of the light extinction coefficient.     

The Reuse of Biosludge as an Adsorbent from a Petrochemical Wastewater Treatment Plant

Abstract

Biosludge was obtained from a petrochemical industry’s biological wastewater treatment plant. Zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) was used as a sludge activation agent during the pyrolytic process. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image photographs, element composition, surface functional group, and pore structure were analyzed for the sludge adsorbent characteristics. Results indicated the proper ZnCl₂-immersed concentration, pyrolytic temperature, and time could produce adsorbent from the bio-sludge. The optimal conditions for a larger surface area adsorbent were 3 M ZnCl₂-immersed sludge pyrolyzed at 600 °C for 30 min and washed with 3 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution and distilled water. The predominant pore size of the sludge adsorbent was the mesopore.     

Decomposition of SF6 in an RF Plasma Environment

Abstract

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)-contained gas is a common pollutant emitted during the etching process used in the semiconductor industry. This study demonstrated the application of radio-frequency (RF) plasma in the decomposition of SF₆. The decomposition fraction of SF₆ [η_SF6 (C_in–C_out)/C_in x 100%] and the mole fraction profile of the products were investigated as functions of input power and feed O₂/SF₆ ratio in an SiO₂ reactor. The species detected in both SF₆/Ar and SF₆/O₂/Ar RF plasmas were SiF₄, SO₂, F₂, SO₂F₂, SOF₂, SOF₄, S₂F₁₀, S₂OF₁₀, S₂O₂F₁₀, and SF₄. The results revealed that at 40 W, η_SF6 exceeded 99%, and the reaction products were almost all converted into stable compounds such as SiF₄, SO₂, and F₂ with or without the addition of oxygen. Sulfur oxyfluorides such as SO₂F₂, SOF₂, SOF₄, S₂OF₁₀, and S₂O₂F₁₀ were produced only below 40 W. The results of this work can be used to design a plasma/chemical system for online use in a series of a manufacturing process to treat SF₆-containing exhaust gases.