The development of a more risk-sensitive and flexible airport safety area strategy: Part I. The development of an improved accident frequency model

This two-part paper presents the development of an improved airport risk assessment methodology aimed at assessing risks related to aircraft accidents at and in the vicinity of airports and managing airport safety areas (ASAs) as a risk mitigation measure. The improved methodology is more quantitative, risk-sensitive, flexible and transparent than standard risk assessment approaches. As such, it contributes to the implementation of Safety Management Systems at airports, as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.The first part of the paper presents the methodological advances made in the development of accident frequency models; namely the building of a single comprehensive database of all relevant accident types, the collection and use of normal operations data in quantifying the criticality of a series of risk factors, and modelling accident frequency using multivariate logistic regression. The resulting models have better goodness-of-fit, sensitivity and specificity than standard risk assessment methodologies.     

Crowding in platform staircases of a subway station in China during rush hours

Crowding during the morning peak hours at a platform staircase in a subway station in China was studied in this paper. Passenger flow was surveyed with normal evacuation time recorded. The evacuation process was simulated with the software buildingEXODUS. Predicted results on the total evacuation time and maximum flow capacity of the selected staircase were compared with the field observations. Two parameters, the width of staircase utilized per person and the maximum upstairs walking speed used in the software were identified to be noticeably different from the field studies. Predictions agreed better with the observations after tuning these two parameters. It is concluded that the evacuation simulation software can be applied for safety design with appropriate tuning on the key parameters through field tests.     

Behavior of buoyancy and momentum controlled hydrogen jets and flames emitted into the quiescent atmosphere

As an effort to improve the prediction of hydrogen dispersion in the atmosphere, effects of buoyancy acting on the hydrogen jets formed by releasing from high pressure vessels are investigated analytically and experimentally. For the analytical study, an integral analysis for buoyant jets and flames is carried out to yield the closed formula describing the jet and flame shapes, including their trajectory and horizontal and vertical lengths corresponding to the critical concentrations. Because the density of hydrogen after releasing from high pressure storage conditions is much close to that of helium than that of hydrogen at room temperature, helium is used as the hydrogen surrogate for the buoyant jet experiments, which were performed by visualizing the jet dispersing in the atmosphere up to the jet Reynolds number Re ～ 2400. The trajectories obtained by the integral analysis and experiments agree relatively well until the transition to turbulence occurs. A further estimate for jets and flames is made by using the integral analysis as a preliminary design to the experiments involving a much greater hydrogen release. Once the comparative investigation of the larger scale experiments with the integral analysis, we anticipate that a more universal hydrogen jet and flame data can be obtained, which perhaps leads to a better safety distance of hydrogen stations.     

Emergency response study for chemical releases in the high-tech industry in Taiwan—A semiconductor plant example

In the past two decades, there has been continuous investment and expansion of semiconductor, photoelectric panel, or solar cell plants in the high-tech industry. For example, establishing a semiconductor plant costs about US$ 3 billion. In addition, the output value of integrated circuits (IC) of Taiwan as a whole is estimated to be about US$ 5.215 billion, and globally of US$ 275.2 billion in 2008. A large amount and a variety of specialty gases or chemicals are applied during processes in high-tech facilities and these chemicals are characterized by inflammability, toxicity, and corrosiveness. Accidents may result once errors or leaks occur in any part of the supply chain, which consists of storage facilities, supply equipment, process machines, and tail gas elimination devices. Personnel casualties can result in serious situations. This study discusses the emergency response procedures and common response defects in semiconductor plants with a view to enhancing emergency response effects and capabilities, avoiding casualties, reducing property loss and shortening operation interruption.     

Monitoring the toxicity of phenolic chemicals to activated sludge using a novel optical scanning respirometer.

This paper reports the development of optical scanning respirometer for determining the toxicity of chemicals to activated sludge. The respirometer is used to measure the dissolved oxygen concentration by monitoring the luminescence intensity of ruthenium dye immobilized in a polymer film in contact with the wastewater sample. The intensity is related to the extent of oxygen quenching of luminescence. The toxicity of chemicals can be evaluated by measuring the inhibition on respiration rate of microorganism using the scanning respirometer. The IC50 values (concentration of a chemical that exhibits 50% respiration inhibition) of various phenolic chemicals in activated sludge were determined. The performance of this method is compared with other toxicity methods. The experimental results indicate that the reproducibility and sensitivity of this respirometer are reasonably good.     

Pit structure and trophic relationship of the coral pit crab Cryptochirus coralliodytes

Individuals of the pit crabs Cryptochirus coralliodytes Heller inhabit massive corals of the family Faviidae. Their pit walls were observed to be covered by blue-green algae and fungi. We suggest that the crabs enhance the growth of these algae and fungi with their metabolic excretions, which contain ammonium. The endolithic algae and the fungi may facilitate the abrasion of the coral skeleton by the crabs, by perforating it and thus weakening the skeletal structure. Computerized tomography analysis revealed dense skeletal material around the pits. Transverse sections showed that the calcification around the pit was similar to other parts of the colony, whereas the macro-architecture was different. Such a difference is the result of the crabs' influence on the corals' living tissue, possibly on the calicoblast which deposits the coenosteum. Crabs, which were exposed to carbon-labeled corals for 1, 7 and 18 d, accumulated labeled carbon, indicating transfer of carbon from the coral tissue to the crabs. Histochemical examination of the stomach and gut of crabs revealed the presence of mucopolysaccharids in the gut, supporting the hypothesis that the crabs eat coral products. The findings of this study provide additional evidence that C. coralliodytes are parasites and support the general hypothesis that a nutritional relationship may have served as a basis for selection. Received: 20 October 1998 / Accepted: 29 April 1999     

Photochemical oxidation of p-chlorophenol by UV/H2O2 and photo-Fenton process. A comparative study

In this study, photochemical advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) utilizing the combinations of UV/H2O2 and the photo-Fenton reaction (UV + classical Fenton reaction) were investigated in lab-scale experiments for the degradation of p-chlorophenol. The study showed that the photo-Fenton process, (a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous or ferric ion), was the most effective treatment process under acidic conditions and produced a higher rate of degradation of p-chlorophenol at a very short radiation time. It accelerated the oxidation rate by 5-9 times the rate for the UV/H2O2 process. The reaction was found to follow the first order, the reaction was influenced by the pH, the input concentration of H2O2 and the amount of the iron catalyst and the type of iron salt. The experimental results showed that the optimum conditions were obtained at a pH value of 3, with 0.03 mol/l H2O2, and 1 mmol/l Fe(II) for the UV/H2O2/Fe(II) system and 0.01 mol/l H2O2 and, 0.4 mmol/l Fe(III) for the UV/H2O2/Fe(III) system. The reactions were accompanied by the generation of Cl- which reached its maximum value at a short reaction time when using the photo-Fenton process. Finally a rough comparison of the specific energy consumption shows that photo-Fenton process reduced the energy consumption by at least 73 to 83% compared with the UV/H2O2 process.     

Perfluoroalkane acids in human milk under the global monitoring plan of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2008–2019)

● Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid highest in human milk. ● All other perfluoroalkane substances had median values of zero (101 samples). ● Branched PFOS recommended to be analyzed separately from linear isomer. ● PFOS and PFOA showed differentiated regional and income distribution. ● Human health risk assessment values not yet available at global level. Within the global monitoring plan (GMP) established by article 16 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) are recommended for analysis in core matrices to assess occurrence and changes geographically and with time. In 101 samples consisting of 86 national pools and 15 pools from States in Brazil obtained between 2008 and 2019, PFHxS was detected in 17% of the national pools and none in Brazil. PFOA and PFOS had a detection frequency of 100% and 92%, respectively. Other perfluoroalkane substances (PFAS) had either low detection frequencies and median values of zero (carboxylic acids C₄–C₁₁; except PFOA) or could not be quantified in any sample (sulfonic acids, C₄–C₁₀, and long-chain carboxylic acids, C₁₂–C₁₄). Correlation between PFOA and PFOS was moderately (r = 0.58). Whereas median values were almost identical (18.9 pg/g f.w. for PFOS; 18.6 pg/g f.w. for PFOA), PFOS showed larger ranges (< 6.2 pg/g f.w.–212 pg/g f.w.) than PFOA (< 6.2 pg/g f.w.–63.4 pg/g f.w.). It was shown that wealthier countries had higher PFOA concentrations than poorer countries. No difference in concentrations was found for samples collected in countries having or not having ratified the Stockholm Convention amendments to list PFOS or PFOA. The goal to achieve 50% decrease in concentrations within ten years was met by Antigua and Barbuda, Kenya, and Nigeria for PFOS and by Antigua and Barbuda for PFOA. In a few cases, increases were observed; one country for PFOS, four countries for PFOA.     

Anaerobic transformation of chlorophenols in methanogenic sludge unexposed to chlorophenols

Transformation of all 19 chlorophenol (CP) isomers was investigated in a laboratory anaerobic methanogenic sludge that had not been exposed to synthetic chemicals. Concentration of CP was analyzed over time to calculate disappearance rate constants using first-order reaction kinetics and all possible CP degradation pathways were estimated. The rate constants ranged between 0.46 x 10(-3) and 0.161 day(-1). CPs were transformed via dechlorination. The chlorine atom at the ortho-position was the most easily dechlorinated, whereas dechlorination rate at the para-position was lowest. The overall pathways of CP transformation were much less diverse than that we previously found for contaminated sediment. The Dolfing hypothesis of microbial selection of the most thermodynamically favorable pathways was not applicable for CP transformation in this study as well as previous study performed by our group.     

氮、磷吸附/解吸法确定环保疏浚深度方法探讨——以太原汾河示范段为例

有效疏浚深度是决定疏浚工程造价和治理效果的关键指标,目前我国现行标准规范尚未明确底泥营养盐浓度的标准,对营养盐超标河湖污染底泥的评价和有效疏浚深度确定十分不利。以太原汾河示范段为例,取其代表性柱状样0.3~0.4、0.9~1.0、1.4~1.6、1.9~2.0 m深度的底泥,分别设计Ⅰ类~劣Ⅴ类氨氮( N H 4 + -N)、正磷酸盐( P O 4 3 - )的模拟水和柱状样实际上覆水,进行氮、磷吸附/解吸试验,并分析不同深度底泥氮、磷吸附/解吸特征。结果表明:柱状样1.6 m深度以内底泥中 NH 4 + -N对水体呈释放状态,1.9 m深度底泥对水体中 NH 4 + -N具一定吸附性;1.6 m深度以内底泥中 PO 4 3 - 对水体有释放风险,1.9 m深度底泥对水体中 PO 4 3 - 具一定吸附性;1.3 m深度底泥中总氮(TN)、 NH 4 + -N浓度出现较明显的拐点,1.6 m深度底泥中总磷(TP)浓度出现较明显的拐点。结合底泥对上覆水体影响及底泥中氮、磷浓度垂向变化等因素,确定太原汾河示范段有效疏浚深度为1.6 m。