Kinetics and mechanism of TNT degradation in TiO2 photocatalysis

The photocatalytic degradation of TNT in a circular photocatalytic reactor, using a UV lamp as a light source and TiO(2) as a photocatalyst, was investigated. The effects of various parameters such as the initial TNT concentration, and the initial pH on the TNT degradation rate of TiO(2) photocatalysis were examined. In the presence of both UV light illumination and TiO(2) catalyst, TNT was more effectively degraded than with either UV or TiO(2) alone. The reaction rate was found to obey pseudo first-order kinetics represented by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. In the mineralization study, TNT (30 mg/l) photocatalytic degradation resulted in an approximately 80% TOC decrease after 150 min, and 10% of acetate and 57% of formate were produced as the organic intermediates, and were further degraded. NO(-)(3) NO(-)(2), and NH(+)(4) were detected as the nitrogen byproducts from photocatalysis and photolysis, and more than 50% of the total nitrogen was converted mainly to NO(-)(3)in the photocatalysis. However, NO(-)(3) did not adsorbed on the TiO(2) surface. TNT showed higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency at neutral and basic pH.     

Abatement of sulfur hexafluoride emissions from the semiconductor manufacturing process by atmospheric-pressure plasmas

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is an important gas for plasma etching processes in the semiconductor industry. SF6 intensely absorbs infrared radiation and, consequently, aggravates global warming. This study investigates SF6 abatement by nonthermal plasma technologies under atmospheric pressure. Two kinds of nonthermal plasma processes--dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and combined plasma catalysis (CPC)--were employed and evaluated. Experimental results indicated that as much as 91% of SF6 was removed with DBDs at 20 kV of applied voltage and 150 Hz of discharge frequency for the gas stream containing 300 ppm SF6, 12% oxygen (O2), and 40% argon (Ar), with nitrogen (N2) as the carrier gas. Four additives, including Ar, O2, ethylene (C2H4), and H2O(g), are effective in enhancing SF6 abatement in the range of conditions studied. DBD achieves a higher SF6 removal efficiency than does CPC at the same operation condition. But CPC achieves a higher electrical energy utilization compared with DBD. However, poisoning of catalysts by sulfur (S)-containing species needs further investigation. SF6 is mainly converted to SOF2, SO2F4, sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxygen difluoride (OF2), and fluoride (F2). They do not cause global warming and can be captured by either wet scrubbing or adsorption. This study indicates that DBD and CPC are feasible control technologies for reducing SF6 emissions.     

Simultaneous removal of nitrogen oxide/nitrogen dioxide/sulfur dioxide from gas streams by combined plasma scrubbing technology

Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) [nitrogen oxide (NO) + nitrogen dioxide (NO2)] and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are removed individually in traditional air pollution control technologies. This study proposes a combined plasma scrubbing (CPS) system for simultaneous removal of SO2 and NOx. CPS consists of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and wet scrubbing in series. DBD is used to generate nonthermal plasmas for converting NO to NO2. The water-soluble NO2 then can be removed by wet scrubbing accompanied with SO2 removal. In this work, CPS was tested with simulated exhausts in the laboratory and with diesel-generator exhausts in the field. Experimental results indicate that DBD is very efficient in converting NO to NO2. More than 90% removal of NO, NOx, and SO2 can be simultaneously achieved with CPS. Both sodium sulfide (Na2S) and sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) scrubbing solutions are good for NO2 and SO2 absorption. Energy efficiencies for NOx and SO2 removal are 17 and 18 g/kWh, respectively. The technical feasibility of CPS for simultaneous removal of NO, NO2, and SO2 from gas streams is successfully demonstrated in this study. However, production of carbon monoxide as a side-product (approximately 100 ppm) is found and should be considered.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from food salt samples processed by heat treatment in Korea

Eight samples of processed food salt collected from five plants in Korea were analyzed for 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) using liquid-liquid extraction, clean-up procedures, and high resolution gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. The study included the analyses of two kinds of salt product sample: bamboo-salt and parched salt. The levels of toxic PCDD/Fs found in the salt product samples were extremely low: the results revealed TEQ levels ranging between the sub pg TEQ/g and sub fg TEQ/g. The differences in the TEQ values of toxic PCDD/F were observed between the salt product samples, which were treated with different frequency of baking using four different fuels (firewood, pine wood, pine resin, and indirect heating by gas) at temperatures from 300 to 2000 degrees C. In bamboo-salt samples, the concentrations and TEQ values of toxic PCDD/Fs ranged between 0.57-66 pg/g and 5.7x10(-5)-0.64 pg TEQ/g, respectively. PCDD/Fs levels in bamboo-salts baked by firewood were found to be higher than those baked by pinewood or pine resin. In parched salt samples, the concentrations and TEQ values of toxic PCDD/Fs ranged between 0.97-3.7 pg/g and 0.0097-0.017 pg TEQ/g, respectively. The data was discussed regarding the concentration and the distribution pattern of congeners.     

Ozonation of pentachlorophenol in unsaturated soils

A heterogeneous model was developed to describe interactions between ozone and hydrophobic organic compounds, exemplified by pentachlorophenol, in highly gas-saturated vadose zones where water moisture was limited to a thin film on soil particle surfaces. The soil was assumed to be free of soil organic matter. The model included a set of transient equations considering diffusion with simultaneous chemical reaction and hydrophobic partitioning. From dimensionless analysis, it was found that the film concentrations of ozone and the hydrophobic organic component were dependent on the Damk?hler numbers. Effects of Damk?hler numbers on the film profiles of components were examined. With the interfacial flux of ozone calculated from film profiles, dimensionless governing equations of ozone transport and contaminant removal across an experimental column were established. These equations were dependent on the Stanton number. One-dimensional column experiments were conducted to test the model. The optimal time for flow rate adjustment during the process was approximated. Finally, effects of ozone velocity and ozone gas concentration on the Stanton number were evaluated.     

Overview of GHS (Globally Harmonized System) in Korea and the direction of further development

Many chemicals are being developed with the growth of science technology. Such chemicals bring many advantages to humans but also cause many social problems because of the hazards of the materials. Therefore, it is necessary to have a system which identifies the hazards of chemicals. Some acts or regulations about information on warning labels or MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) information for chemicals are similar in each country but there are differences in definitions of degree of hazard, standard classification of harmful level, and indication methods. GHS is the indication method of worldwide integrated classification standard in order to prevent damage caused by disease or risks of accidents resulting from confusion by the users. In keeping pace with the world trend, Korea has conducted translation of the GHS manual from UN and selected it as the official GHS manual of the Korean government. The official Korean GHS translated version was published in July 2005. After that, the Korea Ministry of Employment and Korea Labor and the Ministry of Environment have implemented GHS MSDS for chemical substances since July 1, 2010 so that manufacturers and importers are required to apply it. The full implementation for compound materials will start on July 1, 2013. In Korea, database information for chemicals is provided by four organizations including The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. However, domestic information on chemicals provided by domestic information providers has problems including differences in basic content and incorrect recording because of trade secrets. Efforts for improvement including reinforcing training for manufacturers and importers on recording consistent information for different organizations are urgently needed.     

Inactivation of MS2 bacteriophage by streamer corona discharge in water

Electrical discharge processes are emerging as water treatment technologies applicable to both the degradation of organic contaminants as well as inactivation of pathogens. Particularly as a disinfection technology, electrical discharge processes do not produce toxic byproducts, and effectively inactivate a wide spectrum of microorganisms by multiple lethal actions generated by the formation of plasma channels. This study demonstrates the inactivation of a virus using the streamer corona discharge process (SCDP) with MS2 phage as a surrogate. A rapid inactivation of MS2 phage (i.e., approximately 4 log inactivation in 5 min) was observed in all experimental runs conducted. Discharge conditions such as applied voltage and storage capacitance significantly affected the inactivation efficiency of MS2 phage, whereas the influence of water quality parameters was minor. In order to elucidate the mechanism of MS2 phage inactivation, potentially lethal factors that can be generated by the SCDP were selected, and their roles in the inactivation of MS2 phage were examined. As a result, effects of UV radiation, chemical oxidants, and pulsed electric fields were found to be insignificant. The shockwave generated upon plasma channel formation appears to be the most important factor responsible for MS2 phage inactivation.     

Immobilization of fungal laccase onto a nonionic surfactant-modified clay material: application to PAH degradation

Nonionic surfactant-modified clay is a useful absorbent material that effectively removes hydrophobic organic compounds from soil/groundwater. We developed a novel material by applying an immobilized fungal laccase onto nonionic surfactant-modified clay. Low-water-solubility polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (naphthalene/phenanthrene) were degraded in the presence of this bioactive material. PAH degradation by free laccase was higher than degradation by immobilized laccase when the surfactant concentration was allowed to form micelles. PAH degradation by immobilized laccase on TX-100-modified clay was higher than on Brij35-modified clay. Strong laccase degradation of PAH can be maintained by adding surfactant monomers or micelles. The physical adsorption of nonionic surfactants onto clay plays an important role in PAH degradation by laccase, which can be explained by the structure and molecular interactions of the surfactant with the clay and enzyme. A system where laccase is immobilized onto TX-100-monomer-modified clay is a good candidate bioactive material for in situ PAHs bioremediation.     

Inhibition of residual <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-hexane in anaerobic digestion of lipid-extracted microalgal wastes and microbial community shift

Converting lipid-extracted microalgal wastes to methane (CH₄) via anaerobic digestion (AD) has the potential to make microalgae-based biodiesel platform more sustainable. However, it is apparent that remaining n-hexane (C₆H₁₄) from lipid extraction could inhibit metabolic pathway of methanogens. To test an inhibitory influence of residual n-hexane, this study conducted a series of batch AD by mixing lipid-extracted Chlorella vulgaris with a wide range of n-hexane concentration (～10 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L). Experimental results show that the inhibition of n-hexane on CH₄ yield was negligible up to 2 g COD/L and inhibition to methanogenesis became significant when it was higher than 4 g COD/L based on quantitative mass balance. Inhibition threshold was about 4 g COD/L of n-hexane. Analytical result of microbial community profile revealed that dominance of alkane-degrading sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and syntrophic bacteria increased, while that of methanogens sharply dropped as n-hexane concentration increased. These findings offer a useful guideline of threshold n-hexane concentration and microbial community shift for the AD of lipid-extracted microalgal wastes.